Michael Holding backs Ashwin as India’s first-choice spinner for WTC final

The inaugural ICC World Test Championship final will see India locking horns with New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The summit clash will get underway on June 18, and both sides must have their eyes on the calendar. While the Blackcaps can adapt the English conditions and identify their best combination in the two-match Test series against hosts England prior to the WTC final, India don’t enjoy any such luxury.

The Virat Kohli-led side landed in England on June 3 and is currently under a 10-day quarantine period. Hence, they won’t get much practice time to pick their playing XI. With the top-ranked Test side having a squad of 20 players, many experts have opined on India’s combination for the ultimate clash against New Zealand. West Indies great Michael Holding is the latest one to join the bandwagon.

Many experts and players claimed that the Blackcaps would have an advantage in the final, with the conditions in England and New Zealand being quite similar. However, Holding has opined that India may hold an edge due to the variation in their bowling attack. While the 67-year-old said that India might pick two spinners if the weather is sunny, he picked Ravichandran Ashwin as India’s first-choice and only spinner in damp conditions.

India have that advantage: Michael Holding

“Obviously, conditions will play a role. But the bowling attack India have, it will help them even if conditions remain bright. And if it’s sunny throughout, they can even afford to play two spinners. They have that advantage,” Holding said in an interaction with The Telegraph.

“Even if conditions are damp, I still think India will include one spinner, which could be (Ravichandran) Ashwin as he can contribute well with his batting too. The pitch there (at the Ageas Bowl) does offer turn for spinners, which will be to India’s liking,” he added.

Ravindra Jadeja is another veteran spin-bowling all-rounder in India’s camp. Both him and Ashwin have been magnificent in red-ball cricket lately, and keeping anyone of them in benches won’t be easy for the management. Nevertheless, skipper Kohli could ponder including both in the line-up owing to their batting prowess.