The World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 is all set to begin on June 7 between India and Australia at the Kennington Oval in London. Both teams are preparing themselves for this monumental clash, which promises to be a thrilling and captivating contest for all cricket enthusiasts.
Ahead of the WTC Final, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has picked his India XI for the summit clash. Starting with the batting order, Gavaskar went with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as the openers. Similarly, he named Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane.
“I will talk about the batting and that will be Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as one-two. No. 3 is (Cheteshwar) Pujara, No. 4 is (Virat) Kohli, No. 5 is Ajinkya Rahane. No. 6 is where there is just a little bit of a concern,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports.
In terms of wicketkeeper, Gavaskar reckoned that Srikar Bharat would have the edge over Ishan Kishan as the former as he has more Test experience than the Patna-born cricketer. In the bowling department, the 73-year-old named Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as spinners, while Mohammed Siraj, Mohammad Shami and Shardul Thakur as pace bowlers.
“I would imagine No. 6 would be either (Srikar) Bharat or Ishan Kishan. They are talking about Bharat because he has played all these matches so far. So will probably stick with Bharat at six. No. 7 will be (Ravindra) Jadeja. If it’s a bright day and a bright prediction, then I think you are looking at Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin at No. 7 and No. 8. No. 9, 10 and 11 will be Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and maybe Shardul Thakur,” added the former India skipper.
Sunil Gavaskar’s Indian XI for the WTC final: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Srikar Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur
