While less than a week remains before the ICC World Test Championship Final gets underway, Australia are still unsure about India’s bowling lineup. Australia and India will be up against each other in a mouth-watering clash, scheduled to be played at The Oval from June 7.
Australia are making their first-ever appearance in the ICC WTC Final while India will be playing their second. Both the teams are looking to win their first ICC WTC title. India made it to the final in 2021 too but ended up on the wrong side of the result against New Zealand. And ahead of the huge clash, Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori has admitted that the Aussies are still not sure about India’s bowling lineup.
While Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are set to spearhead the pace attack, it is the spin department that has Australia in a spin. The team from Down Under are not sure over veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s place in the playing eleven. They are preparing to face star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja but have doubts over Ashwin’s participation.
Daniel Vettori on Ravichandran Ashwin:
Just before the IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja had helped India beat Australia in the four-match Test series. While Ashwin ended the series with 25 wickets, Jadeja picked up 22 wickets as India clinched the series with a margin of 2-1. The duo, however, have hardly played together in overseas Tests especially in recent times.
And while only time will tell whether Ashwin plays the final or not, Daniel Vettori has admitted that the question has been bothering the Aussies.
“We have been debating that,” Vettori told the media on Thursday (June 1).
“I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at that No.6 position. Then the question will be around that fourth seamer and the all-rounder in Thakur and Ashwin, but they are (both) pretty good choices.”
“Ashwin is an incredible bowler and he will be first choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to that (him missing selection). We expect The Oval to behave how it always behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on,” he added.