India deservingly entered the World Test Championship Final (WTC). They smashed England 3-1 on their way to the finals. India not only topped the WTC standings but also became the number 1 ranked Test side. Before the Covid-19 pandemic stuck, India were the top team in WTC standings with 360 points. They looked all set to cruise into the WTC finals. But ICC made a sudden rule change which meant India slipped to 3rd position in the table.
The new rule calculated Percentage points (PCT) to evaluate the top 2 sides. India overcame that hurdle too. They defeated Australia in their backyard while convincingly won against England at home. India thereby stormed into the WTC finals. They will be squaring up against a strong New Zealand side.
We at StumpsandBails are predicting an Indian XI for the World Test Championship finals:
1 Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was the best batsman across both teams in the recently concluded India-England series. He amassed 345 runs in 4 Tests at an average of 57.50. His 161 in the 2nd Test was a series-defining knock. Sharma is now one of the finest openers going around in the international circuit. If Sharma can see off the new ball spell of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, he can surely eye a big score in the finals. He will be crucial to India’s chances in the final, there is no two ways about it.
2 Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill had a pretty ordinary series against England at home. But his talent can’t be discounted based on a single series. Gill was in tremendous touch down under when he took on the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood, and Nathan Lyon. His ability to remain unflustered by seam and swing will aid him in the English conditions.
3 Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara is the rock on which the foundation of Indian batting has been built in the past 6-7 years. Pujara is yet to score a hundred since January 2019 yet he remains crucial to India’s chances in the WTC final. He has the game to counter the likes of Boult, Southee, and Neil Wagner. A solid Pujara knock will mean India are going well in the game!
4 Virat Kohli (C)
Virat Kohli hasn’t scored an international century in his last 36 innings. How poetic it will be if he manages to score one in the world test championship final. Kohli mastered the English conditions in 2018. He is key to India having a good time with the bat in the finals.
5 Ajinkya Rahane (VC)
Ajinkya Rahane was the only Indian batsman who looked comfortable in the 2014 tour to England. His century at Lords in 2014 is one of the finest hundreds scored by an Indian overseas. Although Rahane has struggled to get going at home, he is an asset overseas. An aggressive Rahane will be an ideal answer to New Zealand’s pacers.
6 Rishabh Pant (WK)
Rishabh Pant has set the world stage on fire in the past 2 months. His knocks at Sydney, Brisbane, Chennai, and Ahmedabad have earned him praise from across the world. A Pant special will ensure India lifts the WTC!
7 Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is arguably the best all-rounder in the world currently. His exploits with both the bat and ball are well documented. Jadeja coming in at number 7 enables India to go with 5 frontline bowlers.
8 Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin is the best spinner in the world currently. The man with 409 Test wickets in his kitty looks hungry for more. The Kiwis are known to struggle against quality spin and who better than the duo of Ashwin-Jadeja to trouble them. Don’t forget that Ashwin has 5 centuries to his name.
9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been sidelined owing to injury. But he is expected to comeback against England in the limited-overs series. A fit-again Kumar will be ideal in English conditions where the ball will swing wildly. He can contribute with the bat too. He strengthens both the batting and bowling departments.
10 Mohammed Shami
Mohammed Shami has picked up 180 wickets in 50 Tests. He is one of India’s leading strike bowlers. Shami has picked up 85 wickets in the last 3 years and he will look to continue the rampage in the finals too.
11 Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is the only Asian bowler to have picked up a 5-wicket haul in South Africa, England, Australia, and West Indies. Bumrah has the ability to run through a line-up in a matter of one session. He is a big-match player and what bigger than a WTC final.
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