Image credits - BCCI
On Tuesday, The country’s highest cricketing body BCCI has announced the 15-member squad of the Indian side for the ICC WTC final game to be played against New Zealand, which is fixtured to happen from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
When the initial squad was announced, the bench strength of the Indian side was 20. But, now with the new decision of the BCCI, it is trimmed by five due to which Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Shardul Thakur, Mayank Agarwal, and Washington Sundar will fail to get their ticket to the final of the marquee event.
As Shubman Gill had performed well during India’s tour of Australia last year, there was speculation that he would fill the shoes of Agarwal and pair up with Rohit Sharma as the first option to open the innings for the Indian side. However, as predicted Agarwal’s position has been axed in favor of Gill.
Meanwhile, questions remain on what look would the team’s bowling unit wear. After Shardul Thakur’s exit, India has pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav to choose from. Given the pace troika of Bumrah-Sharma-Shami has reaped immense success, it remains highly likely for the team to stick with the combination despite Siraj’s excellent debut series Down Under. However, a final decision is yet to be taken after the team gets to take a look at the final surface for the marquee clash.
Indian squad for the final test match against New Zealand is as follows: 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.