The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced India’s 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final.
The World Test Championship final will start from June 18 in Southampton.
Virat Kohli will be leading the team against New Zealand while Ajinkya Rahane will serve as his deputy.
While there are not many surprises, India have left out Mayank Agarwral and Shardul Thakur, who was marked as the fast-bowling all-rounder after Hardik Pandya failed to make the Test squad for the England tour.
India, however, have named fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and middle-order batsman Hanuma Vihari. Senior pacer Umesh Yadav also found a spot.
India have made it quite clear that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who opened in Australia, will be facing the new Dukes ball in Southampton as they haven’t named either Mayank or KL Rahul.
The likes of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mayank and Rahul are the five players who have not found spots in the trimmed 15-man squad for the World Test Championship final.
India is likely to go in with three pacers and two spinners but they have named Siraj and Umesh as well. Wriddhiman Saha is unlikely to make the playing XI but he finds a place in the squad as back-up wicketkeeper to Rishabh Pant.
India’s squad for WTC Final: Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav,Mohammed Shami, Ishanat Sharma, Mohammed Siraj.
????️ #TeamIndia announce their 15-member squad for the #WTC21 Final ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/ts9fK3j89t
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2021
India’s squad announcement comes hours after New Zealand named their final 15 for the WTC Final. While there were doubts about Kane Williamson’s fitness after he was rested for the 2nd Test against England, the celebrated batsman is all set to lead the team, which has a fine mix of seniors and youngsters.
New Zealand’s squad for WTC Final: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young.
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