India’s former head coach, Ravi Shastri, has suggested that both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin should be included in the Indian playing XI for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at the Oval on June 7. Shastri believes that India should take advantage of the situation by including another spinner to make up for the lack of pacers, as Jasprit Bumrah is out due to injury.
Shastri said that India did well in England last time because they had four fast bowlers, one being an all-rounder. He added that this combination is good for India, especially for players like Rohit Sharma, who can control the game better. Shastri also emphasized the importance of picking players based on current form and conditions. He said that while Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav played in the inaugural final against New Zealand in 2021, they are a few years older and may be a few yards slower compared to 2021.
Shastri believes that if the quality of the fast-bowling attack is not good, and if the guys are older and not as quick as they used to be, then India should play a second spinner because Ashwin and Jadeja are both quality spinners. India is playing its second consecutive WTC final, while Australia is making its first appearance.
