Ravi Shastri believes that the conditions in the lead-up to the first ball on June 7 at The Oval will determine India’s XI for the ICC World Test Championship final.
Shastri has a history of success at the venue, having led India to victory in the fourth Test against England in the same year, and has also coached the team until late 2021.
Looking ahead to India’s match against Australia, Shastri discussed India’s selection decisions ahead of the World Test Championship final with Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.
Rather than naming a specific bowling attack for the final, Shastri believes India’s XI will be determined by two key factors: fast-bowler fitness and the weather in London in the lead-up to the match.
India have three spin options in their squad, with experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and No. 1 ranked all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja joining left-armer tweaker Axar Patel in the 15-man squad.
If the pitch at The Oval looks like it will take some spin, Shastri believes India should select Ashwin as the only specialist spinner and bat at No.6.
“If the track is hard and dry, you would want two spinners to play for sure,” Shastri said.
“I think it goes a lot with the weather in England. I believe it’s sunny now at the moment, but you know, English weather, how it can change in the month of June.
“So there’s a very good chance India will go with two spinners, two fast bowlers and an all-rounder. That will be the combination. And then there’ll be five batsmen and the wicket-keeper, so six batsmen.
“So if all conditions stay normal at The Oval, then this would be my combination, but you’ve got to have the quality to be able to put those guys out in the park.”
Ravi Shastri’s predicted India XI for World Test Championship Final
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj
12th man: Umesh Yadav