The Indian cricket team face a problem of plenty in trying to finalise their bowling composition ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand.
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The Indian cricket team are fine-tuning their preparations for the ICC World Test Championship with an intra-squad warm-up game. The Indian bowlers and batsmen are preparing to combat a New Zealand side who are on a high. The Kiwis are on a high after registering their first win in England after 22 years. The India batting line-up is more or less settled. Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant will be the batting line-up for the ICC World Test Championship.
It is in the bowling department that India are blessed with a problem of plenty. The side has some match-winning spinners and pacers. It will be very important to see what will be the team selected for the ICC World Test Championship in Southampton. Looking at the pitch and conditions, it will be very important for the Indian management to select the right team for the final.
Looking at the strengths of the Indian cricket team, it makes sense for them to play two spinners in Southampton. This not only gives them the option of variety but it also gives them a batting buffer. India have four spinners in the line-up with R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. But, in the big final, these are the two spinners that India might want to play.
Ravindra Jadeja: The Indian cricket team all-rounder is the best option in this side. His fielding is top notch. His batting can take the game away from the opposition. With his bowling, he can keep the Kiwis pegged down. Jadeja has an excellent record against both Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme. His accuracy, sharp fielding and destructive batting make him the ultimate bowler in the final.
R Ashwin: The best spinner in the world currently. With New Zealand having three left-handers and three right-handers in the batting, Ashwin will be licking his fingers. The ace offspinner has a great record even against Kane Williamson, one of the best batsmen in the New Zealand team. The combination of Ashwin and Jadeja are potent in any conditions. If India play these two, then their batting has more insurance and also their bowling has variety.
The pace battery of India is the envy of the world. They have world-class pacers that have experience in all conditions. The depth of the side is such that they can take 20 wickets on a consistent basis. In the intra-squad warm-up game, all the pacers have impressed. Looking at the exploits of the bowlers in the last couple of tours, this might be India’s ultimate combination for the ICC World Test Championship final.
Ishant Sharma: The Delhi pacer has played over 100 Tests. He has two five-wicket hauls in England, one of them gave India a win in Lord’s after 28 years. His other five-wicket haul almost gave India a win in Edgbaston in 2018 but they botched it up. Ishant looked in rhythm in the intra-squad game and he might slot in.
Jasprit Bumrah: He is assured a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final. Bumrah is one of the pacers who is the X-factor of the side. His ability in any condition will be India’s trump card heading into the tournament.
Mohammed Siraj: This might be a slightly contentious issue when it comes to the choice between Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. The Hyderabad pacer has had a match-winning spell in Australia and was impressive against England. Shami, on the other hand, has not played much since sustaining a fracture in Adelaide. Siraj is a swing cum hit the deck bowler. If he manages to get his accuracy spot on, then India will benefit immensely. With Jadeja, Ashwin, Ishant and Bumrah, Siraj is the ideal foil to ensure the pressure is never lifted off New Zealand.
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