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Virat Kohli, Indian skipper put all the discussions pertaining to the playing XI to rest when he announced the playing XI with Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the first day’s play, the Indian team announced their playing XI.

There was a lot of talk about the combination with which India would go in. Some had suggested that India might play four seamers and one spinner, while others suggested that Mohammad Siraj might just get the nod ahead of veteran pacers Mohammad Shami or Ishant Sharma. New Zealand decided to go into the final without even a single frontline spinner.

After the first day got washed out due to rain without even the toss happening, the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand got underway in Southampton on Saturday, June 19, 2021. However, considering the overcast conditions and the lack of sunshine, it was speculated that the team might choose to drop a spinner. They could have done that because the toss didn’t happen on day one.

Nevertheless, captain Virat Kohli at the toss on Saturday revealed that he has decided to stick to the same combination without any tinkering, emphasizing the balance which Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin bring to the table. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to field first on a very overcast day in Southampton.

Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja Photo Credit: AP

“We would’ve probably bowled first as well. But runs on the board have been our strength. In a big final, runs on the board, however many, are an advantage. As you saw the makeup of our side, the balance is such that we prepare for any conditions. We’ve been performing really well in Test cricket. For us this is just a Test match we have to be professional in, have to follow our processes,” Virat Kohli said at the toss.

The confidence of playing with the two spinners in Southampton clearly comes after how well the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have batted in recent times while also being effective with the ball even in overseas conditions. Unlike India, New Zealand went into this big match with four quicks, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, and Colin de Grandhomme as their all-rounder at no. 7.

ICC is promoting the inaugural World Test Championship final as the ‘Ultimate Test’, but Virat Kohli has said that the result of the one-off match against New Zealand cannot decide which is the “best” team in the format.

Rohit Sharma And Shubman Gill Dismissed On Day 2 Of The WTC Final

India’s drought of first wicket’s 60-plus stand in England in more than 10 years ends. India loses their first wicket for 62 runs on board in 20.1 overs as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 34 off 68. Kyle Jamieson has caused uncertainty by going wide on the crease, and the outswing takes the edge for a lovely low catch at third slip by Tim Southee.

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill | Photo Credit: AP

Neil Wagner swung the first ball back into Shubman Gill, and two balls later he bowled the same length, making him push at the ball, which held its line this time and took the edge as India is 63 for 2 in 24.3 overs with Shubman Gill being dismissed after scoring 28 off 64.