The World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 will be played at The Oval from 7-11 June. In case of any play loss on the scheduled five days, 12 June was earmarked as a reserve day. Both teams have announced their 15 men’s squad for the grand finale. But who could break into the eleven of WTC Final, let’s find out.
Top order for WTC Final
Captain Rohit Sharma will lead India’s team and open the innings with the rising star Shubman Gill in the WTC final. Sharma is one of the consistent performers during the WTC23 cycle. On the other hand, Gill was the top run scorer dunning the recently concluded IPL, he will be playing in place of injured KL Rahul who has suffered an injury during the IPL.
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The second-highest run-scorer Usman Khawaja with 1608 runs in cycle 21-23 will be Australia’s first-choice opener along with David Warner. Despite the poor form for the past 12 months, Australia will back Warner. As Left-hander only reached three figures just once since the start of 2021.
The Indian team will depend on Cheteshwar Pujrara as he has also a lot of experience in England due to his county. He will be India’s number three. As for Australia’s Number three, Marnus Labuschagne will bat this number in the final. With 1509 runs, Labuschagne is just behind Pakistan Captain Babar Azam in top scorers.
Middle Order
Without any doubt, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane will play at number four and five respectively in the final. Rahane is looking forward to making an excellent comeback after Shreyas Iyer was injured.
The prolific duo Steve Smith and Travis Head will be Australian number four and five respectively in the WTC. Since both players are in excellent form and one of the leading run scorers in the ongoing championship.
Lower Order
Team India has a tough choice between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. But due to superior batting ability, Jadeja will likely play.
As far wicket keeping position, KS Bharat will likely be playing. Ishan Kishan at a number six or seven will be difficult for him as he regularly plays as an opener.
Cameron Green will be the Australian first-choice fast-bowling all-rounder instead of Mitchell Marsh. The rising superstar of Australia played crucial knocks in the ongoing championship, hundred in India in recent series is one of the most impressive.
Without any doubt, Alex Carry will keep the wickets for the Australian side while Josh Inglis will available as a backup option for the side.
Spinners
Ravindra Jadeja will be the only spinner in the Indian team that will play instead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel.
The top wicket-taker of the championship with 83 wickets, Nathan Lyon will be the automatic choice as a spinner for Australia.
Fast Bowlers
In the absence of Jaspirt Bumhra, The informed Mohammad Shami will lead the bowling attack of team India. Mohammed Siraj will share the new ball along with Shami. Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur will provide the third and fourth fast bowling options to team India.
A team who has the serves of furious attack in the form of captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc is considered one of the most world dangerous attacks in the world. In the absence of injured Josh Hazelwood, Scott Boland will likely play in the WTC final. Cameron Green will be available for the fourth fast-bowling option for captain Cummins.
Overall, both teams are ready to face challenges and will fight hard in the WTC final for their maiden title.
India likely XI for WTC final 2023
- Rohit Sharma ©
- Shubman Gill
- Cheteshwar Pujara
- Virat Kohli
- Ajinkya Rahane
- Ravindra Jadeja
- KS Bharat (wk)
- Shardul Thakur
- Mohammad Shami
- Mohammed Siraj
- Umesh Yadav
Australia likely XI for WTC final 2023
- Usman Khawaja
- David Warner
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Travis Head
- Cameron Green
- Alex Carey
- Mitchell Starc
- Pat Cummins ©
- Nathan Lyon
- Scot Boland
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