India's fielding coach R Sridhar on Friday (June 18) insisted that the playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand was chosen to “take the pitch and conditions out of the equation”, insisting the chosen players are capable of making conditions irrelevant in Southampton.
Given the erratic English weather, the temperatures would go down and there would be overcast conditions and after day one was abandoned due to the rain, which can force the Indian cricket team to go in with three pacers and two specialist spinners against New Zealand.
However, Sridhar ruled out the possibility of a change in Team India’s playing XI despite the opening day of the WTC 2021 Final being washed out at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Read Also: WTC 2021 Final: Match officials to take call on reserve day on Day 5, says report
Sridhar told the media after washout of the WTC Final Day 1: “I was expecting this to be the first question. The eleven that has been announced is eleven that takes conditions out of the equation. I think it’s the eleven which can play and perform on any given surface and any given weather conditions. This eleven that has been put on the park. If need be, a decision will be taken.”
Reacting to the reserve day equation, the fielding coach opined: “Its trial and refinement with experience that ICC has got in organizing matches and they know what it is about. And we all know how the English weather is. I think they have been prudent and wise.”
He added, “As it is if play starts on time, we are looking at four hours of play on the reserve day. That's going to make it a complete match and that's what the viewers and audience want, a complete game.”
Hailing the young opener Shubman Gill, the former Hyderabad left-arm spinner said: “He is a million dollar cricketer. He is batting brilliantly now. I am not in a position to give you technical details as that will be an answer better given by (batting coach) Vikram (Rathour).”
Sridhar signed off by saying, “I have given him throwdowns and seen him bat. He is looking in good nick and looking an excellent mindset. He is clear about his role and game plan. He is an exciting prospect for India in long term and I just can't wait to watch him play.”
(With PTI Inputs)
