Despite replacing the injured Rishabh Pant in the whites, wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat has struggled to retain India’s No.1 spot behind the stumps during the ICC World Test Championship. Because Rohit Sharma and company are already missing first-choice wicketkeeper Pant and backup gloveman KL Rahul for the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, Team India has added Ishan Kishan to their star-studded squad.
With India and Australia set to renew their rivalry in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has named the Asian giants’ star-studded XI for the upcoming clash at the Oval. Gavaskar named in-form Shubman Gill as skipper Rohit’s opening partner, with veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara and run-machine Virat Kohli batting at Nos. 3 and 4.
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Will Bharat be re-elected?
“I’ll talk about the batting, and the one-two combination will be Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.” (Cheteshwar) Pujara is third, (Virat) Kohli is fourth, and Ajinkya Rahane is fifth. “No. 6 is where I’m a little concerned,” Gavaskar told Star Sports. Will Bharat continue to be the incumbent after keeping wickets for India throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy? The debate has been settled by batting legend Gavaskar, who prefers the Andhra star over Kishan.
“I would imagine No. 6 would be either (Srikar) Bharat or Ishan Kishan. They are talking about Bharat because he has played all these matches so far. So will probably stick with Bharat at six,” Gavaskar observed. Talking about the pace bowling attack of the Asian giants, the former India skipper asserted that seamer Shardul Thakur can complement the fast bowling duo of Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj in the final. “No. 7 will be (Ravindra) Jadeja. If it’s a bright day and a bright prediction, then I think you are looking at Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin at No. 7 and No. 8. No. 9, 10 and 11 will be Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and maybe Shardul Thakur,” Gavaskar added.
Gavaskar’s India XI for WTC Final
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur.