Ajit Agarkar reveals his choice of India’s pace attack for the WTC final
The excitement and build-up to the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final (WTC) has reached its peak as former cricketers, experts and fans have started making bold predictions and picking their top players for the finale between India and New Zealand. While the Men in Blue reached England on June 3, New Zealand are battling it out against England in a two-match Test series.
The squad for the WTC and the England tour picked has been a strong one by the Indian selectors keeping in mind the mental fatigue and bio-bubble norms. With as many as six bowlers to choose from, India are definitely not lagging behind when it comes to the pace department.
While the playing XI will be decided on the match day, Ajit Agarkar has made his choice of the fast bowlers. The former allrounder has picked Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah as his bowlers for the summit clash.
“The seamers will play a part and India has got as formidable an attack as any in the world. I think that’s been their strength over the last few years. Whether it is a Bumrah, Shami – the No.1 bowler for me for a Test line-up for India and Ishant Sharma, he has gotten better over his career as he has played,” Agarkar said on Star Sports’ show Game Plan.
Ajit Agarkar on the possibility of India playing a fourth pacer
As for the pitch at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, the cricketer-turned commentator also stated that if the pitch has a tinge of grass cover then even the fourth bowler can get a look in.
“So, those three certainly will start and if it is a green seaming wicket, you might see a fourth one for all you know. We still don’t know what the conditions are likely to be but we presume in England, with the Dukes ball in particular, there will always be help for the seam bowlers. You can’t imagine a pitch being very dry in mid-June.”
Bumrah had a good series in 2018 in England where he scalped 14 wickets in just three Tests, while Shami has picked 16 in five Tests.
