Just a week to go for WTC Finals and both the teams will be gearing up and making strategies for the final. Playing 11 for the WTC finals will be a point of discussion in the dressing room. Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli will definitely look to put their best XI play for the first edition of the World Test Championship Final. let’s discuss Who will lead the pace attack for Team India?
Most of the experts state that Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami might lead the pace attack for India. Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Tim Southee will be the ideal choices for New Zealand. All the kiwi bowlers have the ability to make a difference single-handedly.
Who will lead the pace attack for Team India?
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has given his expertise and said – ” I feel that Ishant Sharma has a possible chance of missing out because of Siraj’s recent good form and considering that young lad can do both swings and seam. Siraj can handle situations and bowl any delivery according to the conditions.”
Siraj was the main man in absence of senior bowlers during Australia Tour. Mohammed Siraj’s debut was unexpected and the cricketing world was in awe of bowler after pin-point bowling. Siraj went onto picking 12 wickets in 3 matches.
When Harbhajan was asked about his priority in bowling combination for the final, he said, “If I was the captain, I would go with three pure fast bowlers. In that case, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami pick themselves. In this final, I would like to go with Mohammed Siraj ahead of Ishant Sharma.
“Ishant is a brilliant bowler, but for this game, my choice is Siraj, who has shown remarkable improvement in the last two years.”
“You have to look at the present scenario. Siraj’s form, pace and confidence make him a better choice for this final match. The kind of form he is in the last six months, he looks like a bowler who is hungry for his chances. Ishant has gone through some injuries of late but has been a great servant of Indian cricket no doubt,” the off-spinner said.
“If you leave some grass on the surface, Siraj with his pace will be lethal. Trust me, New Zealand batters won’t find him easy as he not only hits the deck but also gets to move the ball off the pitch at a brisk pace. He can create awkward angles for batsmen,” India’s third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket observed.
Harbhajan Singh further explained why pitch and weather won’t be ideal for spinners.
“You play two spinners when the climate is on the hotter side. The cracks will appear, and they will both be effective. If it remains on the cooler side, the pitch, which comprises mainly black soil, won’t break.
“They can take a final call factoring in the weather just before the game and also taking the five-day forecast into the account. I don’t see a case for four pacers with no Hardik Pandya in the set-up. You can only play four pacers if the pitch can’t be distinguished from the outfield,” he explained.
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