India vs AUS: WTC Final: Shadrul Thakur – India have gone with an extra seam option in Shardul Thakur for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia to be played at the Oval from June 7 to 11. BCCI announced a 15-member squad today, which sees four pacers apart from Thakur. With conditions in England providing help to fast bowlers, the BCCI selection committee has called in Thakur for the summit clash. The all-rounder makes a shocking comeback to the Test team after being dropped against Australia during Border Gavaskar Trophy. Follow WTC Final Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
🚨 NEWS 🚨#TeamIndia squad for ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final announced.
Details 🔽 #WTC23 https://t.co/sz7F5ByfiU pic.twitter.com/KIcH530rOL
— BCCI (@BCCI) April 25, 2023
Thakur’s inclusion in the Test team also bolsters India’s batting line-up. With Suryakumar Yadav dropped from the WTC final squad, Thakur can bat at number six position and help add some crucial runs lower down the order.
India Squad WTC Final: Thakur finds a spot in the WTC squad, likely to play as all-rounder at number six or seven in the WTC final against Australia
With Mohammed Siraj, and Shami set to share the new ball attack, Thakur is likely to come in as the third pacer. The Mumbai all-rounder has a decent track record in England as he has taken a four-wicket haul and also scored a fifty. The right-hand batter also scored second fastest fifty by an Indian batter at the Oval. More than his bowling, Thakur is a bankable option lower down the order. With KS Bharat yet to find form with the bat in hand, Thakur’s presence lower down the order will come in handy option.
So far, Thakur has played eight Test matches for India scoring 254 runs and picking 27 wickets at an average of 24.44. He has played two Test matches in England, scoring two fifties and picking up seven wickets.
India Squad WTC Final: What we know so far
- The core of the India squad is the same for the WTC Final against Australia.
- India have gone with seven batters and eight bowlers for the summit final against Australia.
- KS Bharat retains his place as wicketkeeper batter, with K Rahul being the backup option.
- Apart from Shardul Thakur, India have gone with four pacers in Siraj, Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Jaydev Unadkat.
- India have picked three spinners Axar Patel, Ashwin, and Jadeja.
- Ajinkya Rahane has made it to the WTC squad in place of Shreyas Iyer.
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