Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has backed experienced batter Ajinkya Rahane for the No. 5 spot, adding that the wicketkeeper should be chosen based on the bowling combination Rohit Sharma’s team will use in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia.
Shastri has chosen Shubman Gill as captain Rohit’s opening partner, with experienced Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli filling the third and fourth positions, respectively.
Surprisingly, Rahane was included in the summit clash for a crucial batting spot in his 12-man team. Rahane, a former India Test vice-captain, has been absent from the squad since January of last year. His recent form, as well as injuries to Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, prompted his recall.
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“When you look at the WTC, if I remember from the last time India were in the final, it is very important what you learn from that game. You got to pick a team that suits the conditions. Last time in Southampton the weather was really overcast. Hence I will pick my 12. My 12 is very clear: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara at No. 3, Virat Kohli at 4, Ajinkya Rahane at 5,” Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.
Shastri stated that the wicketkeeper choice between KS Bharat and Test rookie Ishan Kishan should be based on the bowling attack with which India will be going into a title-deciding match.
“Now the choice has to be between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan. I have a feeling that India might just go with…depending on who is playing…two spinners are playing may be KS Bharat. But if there are four seamers and one spinner then it will go the other way,” he said.