Image Courtesy- ProBatsman
Ahead of World Test Championship Final, the Indian players have started training in Southampton to face the New Zealand team in WTC Final. Indian players completed their hard quarantine and are permitted to practice in groups of three and four before the soft quarantine time gets over.
Players were seen about warming out and are looking for the entire team to come out, starting a practice from Friday. The practice session will be like audition rounds for pacers and Mohammed Siraj will be a key fast bowler to look for. Some experts understand that the team is looking to have Siraj in the playing XI for WTC Final.
But it can be a tough call, as most experienced available pacers Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah are all available for selection. Since India’s tour of the West Indies in August of 2019 these players were not available but they are back for the most-awaited battle of the WTC Final. It seems that the team management is trying hard to have Mohammed Siraj in playing XI, looking at the ageing body of Ishant Sharma, he could be asked to rest if team management finds Siraj is performing well in training sessions.
The condition in Southampton is quite chilly and the New Zealand team will be comfortable playing four-seamers. But the eye will be on the Indian playing XI as team management may take some surprising selections.