Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh says Indian team management must play R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand, irrespective of the conditions.
The excitement is building up for the final of ICC World Test Championship (WTC), which is set to be played between India and New Zealand at Ageas Bowl, Southampton between 18th and 22nd June, with 23rd, being a reserve day.
Team India has already named their 15-member squad for the WTC final which saw the likes of Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal left out of the squad while R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have found themselves in the squad that will have face New Zealand.
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With less than 24 hours remaining for the much-anticipated clash, many fans and pundits are predicting Team India’s XI for the WTC final. Some are of the opinion that India should play 6 specialist batsmen while some say both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin should feature in the XI.
In an interaction with India Today for eSalaamCricket, veteran Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said that Team India should play both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in the WTC final and not worry about getting wickets.
“India team management should play both the spinners, irrespective of the conditions and pitch. With two experienced quality spinners in their rank, they should not worry about the wickets. No matter what conditions are, you have to back your best bowlers,” Harbhajan Singh said.
Singh advised R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja to keep the seam more upright as it will help the spinners to generate more turn and bounce. He added that Jadeja’s batting performance is as good as his bowling in England.
“They will have to adjust their seam position. In England, the seam should be more upright. It will help them to generate more turn and bounce. Ashwin has done it beautifully in Birmingham during the last tour of England.
“If you look at Jadeja’s batting performances in England, it’s as good as anyone. He has multiple half-centuries, and he is top class bowling operator,” he said.
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Harbhajan Singh further feels that the first two hours of the opening day will be crucial for India in the WTC final, whether they bat or bowl first.
“Whether we are batting or bowling, the first couple of hours will be crucial for Team India. If India is batting first, they will have to start with a cautious approach, and if we are bowling first, picking up wickets will be crucial. Since it is a one-off final, you won’t get a chance to make a comeback,” he concluded.
The winner of the WTC final will be awarded the ICC mace and a prize of $1.6 million while the runners-up would receive $800,000. The prize money will be shared between the two teams if the game ends in a draw.
(India Today inputs)
