WTC Final 2023: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may not have named a deputy for Rohit Sharma but it’s going to be Cheteshwar Pujara. When the Indian board finally submits the squad on May 23, Pujara will be named the official vice-captain. Hence, even though Ravi Shastri wants Virat Kohli to lead in Rohit Sharma’s absence in important events, the Sussex captain could lead India. However, Pujara, who is leading Sussex in County Championship Division II, will get a short break before joining the squad. Follow IND vs AUS World Test Championship Final LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Pujara will be the vice-captain. Everyone is aware of that but it’s not officially mentioned. When we send the final squad to ICC, he will be named the vice-captain. Cheteshwar is doing a fine job for Sussex and it’s great to see him in form,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
The new ‘Wall’ of the India Test Team was also the deputy in the last two Tests of the Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. He is currently leading Sussex in County Cricket. With scores of 115, 35, 18, 13, 151, 136 & 77, Pujara has continued his great run of form in England. With June 7 coming, he is preparing well away from the hullaballoo of IPL 2023. In Sussex, he is playing alongside Australian star Steve Smith, who will soon be his opponent.
WTC Final 2023: Short break for Pujara after Sussex duty
However, to prevent any niggle or injuries, Pujara will join the Indian camp a little late. Sussex play against Glamorgan from May 18-21. While the first batch of players and coaches including Rahul Dravid will reach London on May 24, Pujara will get a 3-4 days break before joining the squad in London.
Rahul Dravid and others will leave for London on May 23 with some of the players who will be ousted from IPL 2023 playoffs. The likes of Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav from Kolkata Knight Riders, Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar from Delhi Capitals are likely to be on the flight to London on May 23.
Pujara half-century. Inevitable. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/de8L0Topuj
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 12, 2023
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and the rest of the team will leave for London as and when their IPL duties come to an end. At the moment, KKR and DC are unlikely to make the playoffs.
“Pujara will get a short break to recharge his batteries before joining the squad. He has been playing constant cricket and needs to freshen up before the final. He should be joining the camp on May 28-29. Dravid will reach there on May 23 and some of the guys and coaching staff will be with him,” the BCCI official told InsideSport.
India’s squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).
Standby players: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav.
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