WTC Final 2023: Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final in Oval, former India coach Ravi Shastri appeared on the latest episode of The ICC Review and revealed his Combined XI from the two sides. Shockingly, Shastri chose to pick seven Australian players in comparison to only four Indians. When asked about who he would choose as the captain between Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma for his Combined XI, he said, “I would give the captaincy to Rohit because he’s much more experienced than Pat”. Follow WTC Final 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
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“He’s been around and he’s captained sides for a long time. If Steve Smith was captain of Australia, then maybe it’s a different story, but since it’s Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma, Rohit wins it. Plus, you know, as a captain, you’re a certainty in the XI so he opens the batting.”
Shastri picks his opener for WTC Final 2023
The decision on who would partner Rohit at the top of the order is a tough one, according to Shastri, with the likes of Australian duo David Warner and Usman Khawaja and emerging India right-hander Shubman Gill all in the mix for the crucial position.
Only England star Joe Root scored more runs than Khawaja during the 2021-23 World Test Championship cycle and Shastri said the Australian left-hander deserves to get the nod.
“It’s a tight one between Usman Khawaja and Shubman Gill,” Shastri admitted.
“Shubman is the rising young star and he’s a terrific player, but Usman Khawaja, just by current form and the number of runs he’s got over the last couple of years, I think he gets in there.”
Marnus, Kohli and Smith in the middle order
“Number three is a no-brainer as Marnus (Labuschagne) has been outstanding in Test match cricket. He averages close to 60, so he gets in there straight away,” Shastri said.
“Kohli at four for just what he’s done over the years and Smith at five for what he’s done over the years and the kind of quality they bring to the table.”
Jadeja over Green and Carey to keep the wickets
Shastri is a massive fan of young Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, but thinks Ravindra Jadeja earns the spot to bat at No.6 due to his ability to act as a second spinning option.
“At No.6, I get in Jadeja, because I believe he is one of the best all-rounders in the world. We know there’s (England captain) Ben Stokes, but Ben has had problems with his fitness, so Jadeja comes in there and gives a lot of balance to that side.”
Australia keeper Alex Carey wins the spot as wicket-keeper and to bat at No.7 ahead of India’s KS Bharat, while Shastri admitted he found it difficult to leave out India veteran Ravichandran Ashwin and opt for Nathan Lyon as the front-line spinner in his XI.
Only 3 pacers for the Oval Pitch
Shastri said the decisions on the pace attack was relatively easy to make, with experienced left-armer Mitchell Starc providing the variety alongside a pair of in-form right-armers.
“(Pat) Cummins, of course, for me, he’s a top-class operator and Mohammed Shami, he’s like vintage and he’s just getting better and better as we’re seeing in this IPL. And stronger. So he comes in there,” Shastri noted.
“But I preferred Jadeja because you get a better balance with two spinners, three fast bowlers, out and out fast bowlers and I would take Starc (to complement them) because of pace and variety being the left-armer.
Ravi Shastri combined India-Australia Test XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mohammad Shami
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