India’s 15-member selection for the World Test Championship final, which begins June 18, was released on Tuesday by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. India has sent a 20-man expanded team to England. In Southampton, Virat Kohli will captain the squad against New Zealand, with Ajinkya Rahane as his deputy.
While there aren’t many shocks, India has left out Mayank Agarwal and Shardul Thakur, the fast-bowling all-rounder who was expected to replace Hardik Pandya after he was dropped out of the Test team for the England tour, India on the other hand, has picked Mohammed Siraj, a quick bowler, and Hanuma Vihari, a middle-order batsman. Umesh Yadav, a senior bowler, also earns a spot.
Because neither Mayank nor KL Rahul have been nominated, India has made it plain that Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who started for them in Australia, will be facing the new Dukes ball in Southampton.
Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mayank and Rahul are among the five players who have been left out of the World Test Championship final 15-man team.
India are expected to field three pacers and two spinners, but they have also picked Siraj and Umesh. Wriddhiman Saha is unlikely to make the starting XI, but he earns a spot in the squad as Rishabh Pant’s backup wicketkeeper.
Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Hanuma Vihari, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, Ishan
India’s squad was announced just hours after New Zealand announced their final 15 for the World Tour Championship Final. While Kane Williamson’s fitness was questioned when he was sidelined for the second Test against England, the famed batsman is expected to head the team, which has a good mix of veterans and youths.
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young are the New Zealand squad for the WTC Final.
