Veteran India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has shared his thoughts on Team India’s playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
He believes that India’s playing XI looks great but feels they should have named a pace-bowling all-rounder in the side of the big WTC 2021 Final against New Zealand given the conditions in Southampton.
The Indian cricket team has already named its final XI comprising the spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja along with the pace trio of Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Reacting to India’s bowling attack, Mishra said it would have been great to have a fast-bowling all-rounder in the side as New Zealand has a fast-bowling all-rounder in their squad.
Speaking with JK 24x7 news, Mishra said: “The playing XI looks great. We have Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, two excellent spinners who can also contribute with the bat. Ashwin and Jadeja's batting skills will help India a lot.”
He added, “I think India could have named a fast-bowling all-rounder in the playing XI, someone who could have bowled six-seven overs when the regular pacers are tired and the ball is swinging. I think it would have been better if India included a fast-bowling all-rounder. New Zealand has a fast-bowling all-rounder in their squad, so this is the one advantage that the Blackcaps have.”
On the strength of India’s batting and bowling units, the spinner signed off by saying: “I think India's batting line-up is stronger than the bowling unit. If you consider the all-rounders, we bat very deep. Only the three fast bowlers do not bat. So, I feel the batting is stronger.”
