India bounced back in stunning fashion to register series wins over Australia and England. These Indian wins and rearguard actions were spearheaded by India’s unsung heroes. India stormed into the World Test Championship (WTC) Finals with series wins over Australia (away) and England (home). They will be facing off against New Zealand in the finals on 18-22 June. The big question which sits in front of an in-form Indian team is who will make it to the playing XI for the finals. And what about those gems who made headlines over these 2 series.
StumpsandBails looks at 6 players who contributed handsomely to India’s win and their current position in the pecking order:
#6 T. Natarajan
T. Natarajan was one of India’s net bowlers whom they carried to Australia. He made his ODI and T20I debut. Natarajan was asked to stay on by the team management as a pace reserve during the Test series. Owing to injuries to multiple players, Natarajan managed to make his Test debut in the 4th Test. He made a sizeable contribution in India’s famous win picking 3 crucial wickets in the first innings. But he is too far down in the pecking order to stake a claim for a spot in the WTC final.
#5 Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari was having a forgettable Test tour to Australia until that heroic knock in the 2nd innings. He bravely fought on battling a hamstring injury to help India salvage a draw. Vihari was hailed by one and all for his grit and determination. He proved how invaluable he is to the Indian Test team. But Vihari will find it tough to break into the Indian XI owing to such tough competition.
#4 Washington Sundar
Washington Sundar made his debut in the 4th Test against Australia at Brisbane. He was picked as a bowler who could contribute with the bat. But Sundar has been batting stunningly ever since. He averages an outstanding in his 4 Test match career. Unless India plays in subcontinental conditions or tries Sundar as an opener, he will find it difficult to make the cut.
#3 Mohammad Siraj
Mohammad Siraj battled the passing away of his father and racial abuse in Australia to emerge as India’s pace bowling sensation. He bowled with a lot of heart and guile in the Tests against Australia. Siraj picked up a 5-wicket haul in the 4th Test at Brisbane. Siraj was effective on placid Indian wickets too. He will be a crucial bowler for India in the future. Though he may find it difficult to make the playing XI for the final.
#2 Axar Patel
Axar Patel made his Test debut in the 2nd Test against England at Chennai. He picked up 27 wickets in 3 Tests at an average of 10.59. Patel was unplayable on helpful spinning tracks. But he will find it tough to go past Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin as India’s premier spinner in overseas conditions.
#1 Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur played a stellar role in India’s epic win over Australia in the 4th Test. He picked up 7 wickets and scored a valuable half-century lower down the order. His all-around skills and ability to swing the ball gives him a chance to feature in India’s playing XI. It will be interesting to see whether India takes that chance.
