India vs Australia LIVE: Rishabh Pant’s injury has put India in a lurch as far as the wicketkeeper’s spot is concerned. In the southpaw’s absence, KS Bharat has fulfilled keeping duties, while Ishan Kishan continues to push for a spot in the side. Former India captain and broadcaster Anjum Chopra says the selectors could have […]
India vs Australia LIVE: Rishabh Pant’s injury has put India in a lurch as far as the wicketkeeper’s spot is concerned. In the southpaw’s absence, KS Bharat has fulfilled keeping duties, while Ishan Kishan continues to push for a spot in the side. Former India captain and broadcaster Anjum Chopra says the selectors could have brought Wriddhiman Saha back into the fold for the World Test Championship Final, starting on June 7. Follow IND vs AUS WTC Final 2023 LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
“We have the best squad barring the injuries to Shreyas, Rishabh and Bumrah. There are no surprises in the squad and Ajinkya Rahane is in good form as seen in the IPL. However, given that Rishabh is out injured, maybe Wriddhiman Saha could have been considered. It is just a one off test and it is in England, and against Australia,” Anjum Chopra told Insidesport.IN
(Wriddhiman Saha was dropped for the 5th Test against England last year)
Wriddhiman Saha last played for India in December 2021. He was dropped from the squad for the SriLanka series in 2022 with Rahul Dravid even asking the Bengal keeper to retire. The now-38 year-old plies his trade for Tripura in a player-coach capacity. He was part of the Gujarat Titans side that won in 2022 and reached the final last Monday.
“I’m not getting to that discussion on what the team management has conveyed to him. Given Saha’s experience and form in the IPL, he could have been looked at. It isn’t that KS or Kishan aren’t good, but given Saha has scored well in the IPL he could have played,” she added.
WTC Final 2023: ‘Batters will be tested most, both Ashwin and Jadeja should play’
Despite the injury concerns, Anjum Chopra believes India has a good chance of winning the title. The celebrated broadcaster however admits that whichever team adapts to the conditions better will have the best chance to come out on top. Chopra added that the batters will have to work hard to switch into the Test mindset, having played in the IPL for the past two months.
“These similar conditions for both nations. Batting is where we will be tested most because of the huge change in format. Barring Cheteshwar Pujara, no one has played the longer format. The bowlers can cope, but the batsmen have to adjust from playing T20 cricket to Test matches. At the end of the day the bowlers have to take 20 wickets and the batsmen have to put up 400-500 runs,” Anjum Chopra said.
With Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur guaranteed starters, India have to take a call on whether to pick an extra pacer or a spinner based on conditions. Umesh Yadav is a seam option, while Ravichandran Ashwin offers a spin alternate to Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid.
“Both Ashwin and Jadeja should play. We should go with 3 seamers and two spinners. It ultimately depends on the pitch. But I think Shardul gets the nod alongside Shami and Siraj. Ashwin and Shardul also add depth to the batting,” she concluded.
