Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said that Indian team management should pick Ishant Sharma over Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand beginning June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
With conditions favoring seamers in England, the trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Sharma, would be vital for Virat Kohli-led side.
However, with Mohammed Siraj, who impressed everyone with his consistent line and length during India’s triumph in Australia, also in the squad, there has been a raging debate over who will be the three-person pace attack for India in the WTC final.
"They will start as favorites," VVS Laxman picks his WTC final winner
Talking about the same, former Indian batsman VVS Laxman feels that Mohammed Siraj would be confident after his performance against Australia and England, but Ishant Sharma’s experience should be given preference as it has provided solidarity to India bowling line-up.
“I feel Siraj is confident after the way he performed against Australia and also against England. But the way Ishant has contributed over the years to Indian cricket is unbelievable.
“What we want in the all-important final is a lot of experience, and the way Ishant has given the solidity to the Indian bowling line-up has been exceptional. So I would go with Ishant, Shami, and Bumrah as my three pacers in the WTC final,” VVS Laxman told Sports today.
Laxman lauded the Indian bowling line-up saying that the main reason behind India playing the WTC final is because of the consistent performance of bowlers in both overseas as well as home conditions.
“There is a lot of experience and class in this fast-bowling line-up. All five bowlers are match-winners. I think that’s a blessing for this Indian team. One of the reasons we are playing the WTC final is how the bowling attack has performed consistently. Not only in overseas conditions, even in Indian conditions,” he said.
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VVS Laxman further feels that team India has five quality bowlers and can restrict any batting line-up.
“I think India has five quality bowlers, who have done well in restricting the opposition and putting pressure. I think it is because of their experience they have been able to perform so well,” he concluded.
Apart from the quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj, India also have Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav as pacers in their squad.
(Sports today inputs)
