VVS Laxman Would Go With 5 Batsmen For the World Test Championship Final Against New Zealand

Jun 16, 2021 at 11:47 AM

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VVS Laxman Would Go With 5 Batsmen For the World Test Championship Final Against New Zealand

VVS Laxman said that he would go with five batsmen in India’s line-up, with Ravindra Jadeja batting at No. 7 at Ravichandran Ashwin batting at No. 8.

Former India cricketer VVS Laxman on Tuesday spoke about the batting order which India should follow in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. The two teams will feature in the finale and all eyes will be on Virat Kohli & co., who would be battling against a lethal New Zealand pace attack amid tough batting conditions.

VVS Laxman
VVS Laxman. (Photo Source: Twitter)

VVS Laxman Would Go With 5 Batsmen

Virat Kohli’s men lost the two-match Test series against New Zealand in 2020, and the conditions in Southampton are expected to favour the Kiwi speedsters as well.

Hence, India’s batting order is expected to play a big role in the match, as it may determine the result. Speaking at a press conference organized by Star Sports before the WTC final, VVS Laxman said that he would go with five batsmen in India’s line-up, with Ravindra Jadeja batting at No. 7.

“I would go with five batsmen, Rishabh as the wicket-keeper batsman at number six, and I’ve got a lot of belief in Jadeja at number seven and Ashwin at number eight,” VVS Laxman said.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin batting together for India. (Getty Images)
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin batting together for India. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday announced its 15-member squad for the World Test Championship Final, to be played at the Ageas Bowl Stadium in Southampton, against New Zealand from June 18.

KL Rahul And Mayank Agarwal Omitted From The 15 Member India Squad Announced Before WTC Final

The absence of the Karnataka duo of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal from the 15 means India will stick with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill for the openers’ slot. The lack of runs for Shubman Gill in the home series against England, and the subsequent IPL, meant there were a few murmurs about Mayank Agarwal’s return to the playing XI. But those have been quashed for now.

Mayank Agarwal[
Mayank Agarwal[photo: Twitter]
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.

The selection all but confirms that Shubman Gill with partner Rohit Sharma at the top, with Mayank Agarwal missing out. Axar Patel, who stepped in for Ravindra Jadeja during the home series against England, has no place despite a successful series. Axar Patel picked up 27 wickets in three Tests in that series, but such is India’s strength that they can afford to leave him out. Washington Sundar, who too has impressed in his brief Test career, misses out.

Shardul Thakur’s absence leaves India with five pacers to choose from. It is the bowling combination that India will ponder hardest about: whether to play four pacers or three pacers and two spinners. India has retained Wriddhiman Saha in the squad, along with Rishabh Pant who will be the first-choice wicketkeeper.

India’s squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha

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