Brad Hogg, former Australian leg-spinner picked India’s bowling attack for the WTC final against New Zealand based on possible conditions. The anticipation surrounding the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final between Virat Kohli’s India and Kane Williamson-led New Zealand continues to grow at a meteoric rate.
Numerous conversations include discussions on the Indian bowling attack in particular as the cricket fraternity tries to solve the conundrum of whether India needs to play four seamers or three pacers with two spinners. The latest person to jump on the bandwagon is former Australia spinner Brad Hogg.
Brad Hogg Would Have 4 Quicks And 1 Spinner In Ravindra Jadeja If WTC Final Is In Overcast Conditions
Brad Hogg reasoned that India should go with four seamers in case conditions are overcast in Southampton, while discussing India’s bowling attack on his YouTube channel.
“The balance of the bowling attack for India that I would see playing in this World Test Championship final will be in overcast conditions, that’s the weather report. I would have four quicks and one spinner.
“I would go with Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj instead of Shardul Thakur. I would have Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option because you need that extra batting on that day in the Indian batting line-up,” Brad Hogg claimed.
Experts have also brought pace all-rounder Shardul Thakur into their discussion while deciding between him and Mohammed Siraj. Addressing the topic, Brad Hogg preferred the latter as he feels Shardul Thakur may not be fit enough to bowl long spells. While Mohammed Siraj picked 13 scalps and was the leading wicket-taker in the Australia tour, Shardul Thakur chipped in with 7 scalps. Shardul Thakur has been later omitted from the 15 men final squad.
“I don’t think Shardul Thakur would be fit enough if he has to bowl long spells to get through the five days. I just think Siraj has got a better engine. Plus Siraj has led the Indian attack when the big boys weren’t there, and I think he has to be rewarded,” Brad Hogg explained.
The players to miss out from the original 20-member squad that has toured England are Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Agarwal, and Washington Sundar.
Brad Hogg: Ravichandran Ashwin Comes In For Mohammed Siraj If Conditions Are Sunny For The 5 Days
Former left-arm spinner Brad Hogg, however, commented that if the conditions are sunny, he would bring in a second spinner in Ravichandran Ashwin.
“But if it looks as though it is going to be sunny for the five days, then I would go with three quicks and two spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin comes in for Siraj,” Brad Hogg concluded.
The grand finale, which will bring down the curtains on a two-year-long tournament, will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The match is slated to begin on June 18. It will be followed by a five-match Test series between India and England.