Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has made his choice for the Indian team wicketkeeper for the upcoming ICC WTC 2023 final against Australia to be played at the Oval in London from June 7-11.
Due to Rishabh Pant’s unavailability to recover and rehab after his car accident, India gave a debut to KS Bharat when Australia came to India to play the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with Ishan Kishan being picked as his backup.
Bharat was good behind the stumps, but with the bat, he fell short of expectations despite a fighting knock in the last Test match. Kishan, on the other hand, carries a reputation of an aggressive batter like Pant, something India might need to put pressure on Australia.
Shastri, who was the head coach of the Indian team when it last played the WTC Final, said that the Asian Giants have to pick the team considering the conditions.
Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri named his India XI with the 12th man for the ICC World Test Championship.
“When you look at the WTC, if I remember from the last time India were in the final, it is very important what you learn from that game. You got to pick a team that suits the conditions. Last time in Southampton the weather was really overcast. Hence I will pick my 12. My 12 is very clear: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3, Virat Kohli at 4, Ajinkya Rahane at 5," Ravi Shastri said.
He also said that in case India goes with both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in the team, then KS Bharat should be picked in the XI, but if Rohit chooses four pacers and a spinner in the XI, then Kishan should get the nod.
“Now the choice has to be between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan. I have a feeling that India might just go with…depending on who is playing…two spinners are playing may be KS Bharat. But if there are four seamers and one spinner then it will go the other way. Six will be Jadeja, 7 will be Mohammed Shami, 8 will be Mohammed Siraj, 9 will be Shardul Thakur. 11 will be Ravichandran Ashwin and 12 will be Umesh Yadav," he concluded.
Here is the video:
Ravi Shastri’s India XI for the WTC 2023 final:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan/ KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav
