Despite widespread calls for his inclusion, India couldn’t find a place for emerging young quick Mohammed Siraj in their playing XI for the World Test Championship final.
Virat Kohli and company have kept a rather expected line-up for the ultimate clash against New Zealand, starting Friday (June 18) in Southampton.
Shubman Gill will open alongside experienced Rohit Sharma, followed by India’s experienced middle-order comprising veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane on either side of captain Kohli. Rishabh Pant will be donning the gloves for the side.
The WTC final will be the first time India will go in with spin twins Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and pace trio Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in a playing XI. The five bowlers haven’t previously featured collectively in a line-up.
Calls for Siraj’s inclusion had gained strength on the back of his stellar beginning at the Test level since the tour of Australia earlier in the year. Playing his first series in foreign conditions Down Under, Siraj looked at home and showed very good control and consistency.
He was India’s highest – third-highest overall – paceman for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with 13 wickets at 29.54 runs per piece. Siraj proved to be one of the heroes of India’s unforgettable 2-1 series victory against a full-strength Australian team in their own den despite losing multiple first-choice picks along the way. He also performed very well in the following series at home against England, troubling the likes of Joe Root.
Amid Siraj’s emergence, some had Shami under threat for his spot, while some considered even Ishant vulnerable to missing out. But ultimately, the Indian team retained their more experienced quicks for what is one of the most anticipated games in recent Test history.
India’s playing XI for WTC final: Virat Kohli (c), Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane (vc), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
