World Test Championship Final: Team India faces tricky selection issues

India will take on formidable Australia in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval in England starting from June 7. Both the teams have left no stone unturned in their preparation for the all-important match.

Indian team is already grappling with injury worries with key players like KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant being out of the team. Moreover, they have to face a tough challenge from Australian pacers in conditions favourable for swing bowling. They have recalled veteran batsman Ajinkya Rahane based on his massive experience of playing in these kinds of conditions. However, Team India is facing tricky selection issues for the match.

Wicketkeeper 

With KL Rahul’s injury, they have included explosive wicketkeeper batsman Ishan Kishan in the squad. Though Kishan has the X factor in the middle order, he is yet to play in the longest format of the game. The young left hander can take away the game from the opposition with his explosive batting. But it seems Andhra wicketkeeper KS Bharat will get the nod ahead of Kishan in the playing XI. Though Bharat has struggled as a batsman, his experience of playing against Australia in the longest format might go in favour of him.

Third pacer

Indian team management is not yet sure whether to play Jaydev Unadkat or Umesh Yadav as the third pacer in the playing XI. Left hand pacer Unadkat’s form with the rd ball is outstanding in domestic cricket. He has not played for India for a long time and he has been coming from injury. But with his brilliant bowling, he has taken Saurashtra to great heights in domestic cricket. India need a left-hand pacer to add some variety in their attack against the mighty Australians.

On the other hand, Yadav’s strength to swing both the old ball and new ball with pace may prompt the team management to select the veteran pacer in the playing XI.

All-rounder 

Team India management is also having a headache either to select spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin or pace all-rounder Shardul Thakur in the team. It could be the trickiest selection. However, in the end, India could go in favour of Ashwin who is the best in his trade of off-spin. India might play both Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin in the playing XI.