The 2023 edition of ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and Australia is all set to get underway on June 7 at The Oval.
Ahead of the marquee clash, India’s team composition has been a major topic of debate. While some experts feel that India should go with two spinners and three pacers in their playing XI, a few of them have opined that playing four fast bowlers is the way to go in English conditions.
Meanwhile, veteran wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has suggested the Indian team management to drop veteran off-spinner R Ashwin and go for another fast-bowling option in Umesh Yadav.
Notably, Karthik is currently in England to cover the WTC final as a commentator. He regularly posts picture of The Oval track and shares update about the weather in London on his official Twitter account.
"Leave out Ashwin and play four pacers. I enjoyed Ashwin bowling in Southampton, but - is the coach gonna do the same thing again? I doubt it. Umesh Yadav has bowled well in the nets. He is looking sharp, and feeling good body-wise. I have a strong feeling they’ll go with Umesh," Karthik said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Senior India batter Virat Kohli has travelled to England for the WTC final on the back of stunning exploits in the IPL 2023 season. Playing for RCB, he scored 639 runs from 14 innings at a strike rate of 139.82 with two tons and six fifties.
Commenting on Kohli’s form, Karthik said: “He [Virat Kohli] batted well right from the start. In the first game, he got a 70 against Mumbai Indians. He was looking top-notch, and right at the back end of the IPL. He showed his class. The two hundreds that he got is phenomenal. He is batting brilliantly and I am very sure he’ll have a good score."
However, Karthik feels that more than Kohli, it is Cheteshwar Pujara who will play an important role in terms of batting between the two sides.
Pujara played six games for Sussex in County Championship Division 2 leading up to the WTC final, amassing 545 runs with three hundreds.
“For me the key for India to do well in the WTC final and if they wanna cross the line, it’s gonna be Cheteshwar Pujara," he added.
