The ICC World Test Championship final will see India take on New Zealand in the final at Southampton and some players might hold the key in the match.
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The ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand is just 10 days away. The Indian cricket team had a few practice sessions at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Although the Indian team is in quarantine, they can still practice as they were in a bio-bubble in Mumbai before their arrival in the UK. New Zealand, on the other hand, finished a Test match in Lord’s and will play another in Edgbaston before the ICC World Test Championship. Prior to Lord’s, New Zealand had played an intra-squad game between Williamson’s XI and Latham’s XI at the Rose Bowl.
This is the first time that India will be playing a neutral Test. Their record in England in the past couple of seasons has been woeful, having won just four Tests in the last 20 years. In the current squad, there are many players who have had the experience of England conditions. Every single player on the current side is vital for the fortunes of the Indian team. In addition to the key stars in Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, here are some of the players on the Indian side who will be very important in the outcome of the game.
The right-hander was the ultimate difference for India in their success in Australia. His ability to bat long and grind the opposition bowlers will be vital. In conditions that might aid swing and seam, Pujara’s doggedness will be the key. In the last Test that India played in Southampton, Pujara scored 132 and almost gave India a chance against England. The Saurashtra batsman also has immense knowledge of English conditions due to his County stint with Yorkshire. Pujara can bat long and can consume enough balls to wear the New Zealand bowlers down. After Kohli and Rohit, Pujara holds the key.
If there is one player who is redefining the way how keepers bat after Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni, it is Rishabh Pant. The Delhi left-hander has been in fine form in Australia and the series at home against England. His 97 and 89 in Sydney and Brisbane proved to be vital for India creating history in Australia. In Ahmedabad, the century against England witnessed the evolution of Pant as a true match-winner. Pant’s aggression and fearlessness could throw New Zealand’s plans haywire. His utility at No.6 might be the ultimate difference for India.
In the battle of the four spinners in the side, R Ashwin might make the cut ahead of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. New Zealand have three left-handers in the top six. Ashwin has an excellent record against Kane Williamson, the best batsman in the New Zealand team. Ashwin’s prowess with the bat is also exemplary. There is an argument that he does not perform well in England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. However, there is no denying the fact that Ashwin will be the key on days 4 and 5 in Southampton. If his fitness holds, then New Zealand will have their hands full in trying to combat him.
In the entire tour of Australia, the only bowler who took a five-wicket haul in that series was Mohammed Siraj. The Hyderabad pacer is the jack of all trades. He can get the ball to swing and seam. If the pitch is flat, he can pound it on the deck and get some extra bounce. Siraj is the perfect foil for the likes of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami on the Southampton deck.
There will be a big battle for the fourth pacer’s spot between Siraj and Shardul Thakur. However, if India wants a buffer of eight batsmen, then Shardul fits the bill of the bowling all-rounder perfectly. His partnership with Washington Sundar in the Brisbane Test and his bowling was key in India turning their fortunes around. Shardul hit a fifty and took seven wickets in the whole game. In England, he can get the ball to swing and he can keep it in that channel outside off.
If Kohli and the Indian cricket team management think that two spinners might be useful in Southampton, then Ravindra Jadeja makes the cut automatically. If Ashwin and Jadeja play, they will have batting till number eight. Jadeja is the perfect bowling all-rounder. His left-arm spin has often made many New Zealand batsmen struggle, including Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme. His aggressive batting and brilliant fielding make him an asset. Jadeja has an edge over Ashwin primarily because of his fielding. But, the conditions on that day will determine whether Ashwin and Jadeja will play or only one of the spinners will play.
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