Ravi Shastri has revealed his probable India XI for the highly anticipated World Test Championship final against Australia, to be held at the Kennington Oval in London. Shastri included Ajinkya Rahane in the team following Shreyas Iyer’s back injury. Rahane, who lost his place in the side after India’s series against South Africa last year, made a strong comeback with impressive performances for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023.
Ravi Shastri praised Rahane for his approach in the T20 format, focusing on the quality of his innings rather than the number of runs scored. He emphasized Rahane’s ability to time the ball and the significance of strike rate in his game. Shastri believes that Rahane’s experience, combined with his recent domestic success, has earned him a place in the World Test Championship squad.
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In his probable XI, Ravi Shastri selected Shubman Gill as the opening partner for Rohit Sharma, as KL Rahul was ruled out due to injury. Considering the expected dry pitch at the KIA Oval, Shastri included the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the lineup. However, he acknowledged that India will miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah, whose absence could impact the team’s chances.
The selection of this XI indicates the team management’s focus on a balanced combination, with the inclusion of both experienced players and promising talents. Shastri’s emphasis on spinners and the absence of Bumrah highlights the team’s strategic approach in adapting to the conditions.
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As the World Test Championship final approaches, Indian fans eagerly await the final team announcement and anticipate a thrilling clash between the two cricketing giants. The selection of Ajinkya Rahane reflects the team management’s confidence in his abilities, and all eyes will be on him to deliver a match-winning performance in this crucial encounter.
Ravi Shastri’s India XI for WTC:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, KS Bharat (wk), Shardul Thakur, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj.
