Former India fast bowler, Ashish Nehra predicted the bowling line-up of the Indian team for the inaugural final of the World Test Championship (WTC) against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl stadium of Southampton. Ahead of the marquee clash, Nehra said that the fast bowlers from both the team will be expected to play a crucial role as the English condition suits them.

Nehra also opined that India should go with two spinners and three pacers as the inclusion of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will bolster the Indian attack. The reason behind choosing Jadeja and Ashwin, Nehra reckons, has to do with the fact that both of them have more than a decent batting ability. 

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During a recent chat with The Telegraph, Ashish Nehra said, “Of course, both India and New Zealand have very good fast bowlers. But if you look at our bowlers, (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami, they can bowl well even on flatter decks. Not just Bumrah and Shami but even Ishant (Sharma) is there. If you come across a green top, then you certainly can think of including an extra pacer, which I feel should be Mohammed Siraj given how well he has been bowling.

He further added, “But otherwise, I think the bowling attack should be Ishant, Bumrah, and Shami as the three fast bowlers, with (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja as the spinners. Of course, there’s still almost a month left for the final and how each of the quicks fares in practice sessions as well as their fitness levels would also be taken into account before the XI is announced.”

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Pointing out the advantage of playing both Ashwin and Jadeja, Ashish Nehra said, they can contribute with the bat as well, and runs scored by the lower order turn out to be priceless. Nehra reckons that India will have all their bases covered if Jadeja and Ashwin play together in the XI.