Team India on June 17 (Thursday) announced their playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting June 18. As expected, they went with three pacers and two spinners against the Black Caps.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year misses the cut. He was expected to be part of the final XI but the team management chose the experience of Ishant Sharma over young Siraj.
Ishant Sharma will be leading the pace attack which includes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. All the three pacers were part of the previous UK tour, in 2018.
India have picked two spin-bowling all-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Jadeja’s selection comes as a susprise as he hasn’t been a regular member of the final XI in overseas conditions. He only played 1 Test on the England tour in 2018. Ashwin was an automatic selection and will spearhead the spin bowling duties. Both the spinners can also make handy contributions with the bat.
Rohit Sharma will be opening the innings with Shubman Gill, who pipped KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal for a place in the final XI. Cheteshwar Pujara will bat at three and will be followed by skipper Virat Kohli. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will bat at 5 followed by wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant.
Meanwhile, Twitter went ablaze soon BCCI announced the playing XI for the inaugural decider of the Test championship. It is the best playing XI that could have been picked, reckoned many users.
Here are some of the reactions:
It is hard on Siraj but Ishant's incredible numbers over the last few years and, I suspect, confidence in his current fitness level, have tilted it in his favour. This is as complete a bowling attack as you can get
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 17, 2021
Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, Ashwin and Jadeja. Have India ever played a more potent bowling attack in an away Test? #WTCFinal
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) June 17, 2021
India’s strongest ever combined bowling attack in a Test Match? https://t.co/yF37y06Z80
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) June 17, 2021
Really hope India stick to the tailend batting order on view here. Based on his batting form in Australia, Jasprit Bumrah totally deserves to bat at No 9 ahead of Shami and Ishant #WTCFinal https://t.co/pJXsQH7zvJ
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 17, 2021
This will be the first time that Jadeja, Ashwin, Ishant, Shami and Bumrah will play together for India in a Test match. #WTCFinal https://t.co/XucFOx1SST
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) June 17, 2021
It's heartbreaking to see Siraj miss out but mark my words he will be the first one to run in and celebrate if India win the Championship. #MohammedSiraj #WTC21 #WorldTestChampionship
— Ankush Das (@ankushd1993) June 17, 2021
India wouldn't have been in this position if not for the continued efforts of Bumrah, Shami and Ishant – all match winners over the last few years, and I'm so happy they've been persisted with.
Would have been unfair to either of them if they missed out on this game.
Let's go!
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) June 17, 2021
My team predictions for last 11 for team has come 100% right…superb team…all the best @imVkohli @BCCI
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) June 17, 2021