India and New Zealand will be squaring off in the all-important mega WTC 2021 finals. Both the teams will be keen to play their best XI possible. The quest of winning the inaugural World Test Championship is a huge incentive. India were the inaugural T20 world champions and they will love to add this silverware to their kitty.
India will steer clear of any experimentation in the playing XI for the finals. The form of a few of their key players has certainly been mixed over the past couple of series. But they will avoid making any radical change in the big game. Expect India to certainly tweak their team post the grand finale. Few members who are on the radar may finally get a chance in the playing XI permanently.
StumpsandBails looks at 5 players who can nail down a permanent spot in the Test XI post the WTC finals:
#5 Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill for now will feature in the starting XI for India in the finals. But still, his place in the side is not certain. Gill had a rather disappointing series against England post a fabulous series against Australia. He will be keen to make the opener’s slot his own in the finals. If Gill manages to do so, he would have certainly nailed down his position in the playing XI.
#4 Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal is too good a Test batsman to miss out on playing Test matches for India. Not so long ago he was India’s first-choice opener in Tests both at home and in overseas conditions. Agarwal except for a couple of disappointing games has proven himself. He has scored 1052 runs at an average of 45.7 with 3 centuries in 14 games. Agarwal is just one good knock away from selection.
#3 Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Siraj was a revelation on the tour to Australia. He took over the mantle of the leader of the attack in just his 3rd Test. Siraj has 16 wickets in 5 games. He still isn’t a sure starter in the playing XI thanks to the presence of Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah. But Siraj will surely be given a good run of games post the WTC finals. He is a talent India can bank on. We even expect Siraj to feature in the WTC 2021 finals.
#2 KL Rahul
The depth in talent in Indian cricket is there for everyone to see. If not for the depth then how could one explain the exclusion of KL Rahul? He is a class act. Rahul might have been a sure starter for any other team in the world but not for India currently. The long season ahead opens up an opportunity for Rahul to stake a claim in the Test match setup. He is one player whom the world loves watching.
#1 Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar made his India debut in the 4th Test against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. He scored a fantastic half-century on debut and followed it up with a crucial knock in the 2nd innings. Sundar played excellent knocks against England too. He has already shown that he belongs at the international level. Sundar can be a great asset at number 5 as he can bowl a few crucial overs of off-spin too.
AlsoRead: 5 Promising U-19 Indian Players Who Failed To Make An India Debut
