What is the probable eleven for Indian team in the ICC WTC Final?

India is taking on New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final on June 18, 2021, at Southampton, England. Both the teams are really strong and predicting the result is really difficult. So, the playing eleven should be the best to win the tournament final and emerge as the champions of the purest form of Cricket.

India is in a difficult position to pick the right eleven for the final than New Zealand. It is only because all the players in the squad have performed well recently and this brings a state of doubt for the coach and captain to pick the best eleven.

The England conditions and the experience of players come into consideration along with the variety of attack a player gives to the team. Since it’s a tournament final and a most intense one, handling the pressure is really important. By considering all of this let us examine which will be a good and probable eleven for the Indian team to play the final against New Zealand.

Batting Department

It is always the batting that India is renowned for. Even though conditions are different now due to the emergence of some superb fast bowlers. But batting still is the strong powerhouse for India. India always produces terrific batsmen who stand top on World Cricket in every era.

Now it’s Virat Kohli who is the best in the business right now and ruling the world cricket with his consistency and run-taking ability. He is also the captain of the side and it is to him that the team is really looking for a good performance in the final. He will be batting at his No 4 position for the team.

The opening slot is a little problem for India currently. For a long time, the opening has not given India the start that they wanted even after trying different combinations. But in the last Australian series India found a comfortable opening pair in Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Agarwal and K L Rahul is in the squad to be selected. But it is most likely India will be going with Rohit and Gill.

Cheteshwar Pujara is pretty solid at the No 3 position and India don't need another guy at there. The way Pujara batted at Australia, steadying the ship and taking the blows for keeping his wicket and allowing other batsmen to score freely is what India wants.

Then after Kohli, it’s the Vice-Captain Ajinkya Rahane at No 5. Rahane has given some very good and useful knocks at the position. But lately, he hasn’t been so consistent like he did during the past for the team. But he has played a great knock against Australia and that is what India needs in the final. There will be no replacement for him in the final but after that, we should see.

Then it is the No 6 position, which has been grabbed by India's X factor. Its Rishabh Pant with his terrific knocks against Australia and England cemented the position. He has made the opponents frightened to give a compatible total to chase for India. With some match-winning knocks and as a lone warrior sometimes, he is a nightmare for oppositions and is the wicket-keeper of the team.

All-Rounders 

This is some serious trouble for India to pick. Even with Hardik Pandya not in the squad this position is still being the most difficult one for India. As the ace spinner and the top wicket-taker for India in the tournament R Ashwin will be getting the call because of his batting efficiency and some good performances he produced lately benefit him.

But it’s the other position the difficult selection. Ravindra Jadeja returning back from injury has tightened the difficulty with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar performing well in his absence. Hanuma Vihari having County cricket experience in England is also in the squad. Whether India needs another spinner on England conditions is also to be known.

If India looks to strengthen their batting against New Zealand, then Vihari, Jadeja, and Sundar will be having the most chance. If India looks for a variety in the bowling attack, then Jadeja and Axar will be rated more. If India decides to go with 4 fast bowlers, then only Shardul Thakur will come in to picture. So, after considering all this it is Jadeja most probably to be picked.

Bowling Department

This is another department that is a headache for the team selection. As spinner and all-rounder, Ashwin will be definitely in the final eleven. India team is currently blessed with some fierce and superb fast bowlers which the team lacked in their yesteryears. Now, more quality fast bowlers to select is creating confusion to select whom.

Also, the unavailability of the main fast bowlers in the last 2 series forced India to play some young guns and they performed exquisitely. Now the main players have returned after their injuries and the youngsters were terrific so creating difficulty in the selection.

Anyway, there will be at least 3 fast bowlers on the team. Jasprit Bumrah who is the bowling sensation and spearhead of the Indian bowling attack will be definitely picked. Then there is the experienced Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and the inexperienced but already performed Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur.

Ishant Sharma is the most experienced bowler of the pack and has performed well in the England conditions before. So maybe his experience gets a little advantage. Being the most aged bowler may take some adverse effects if the team is looking for freshness, but in the final, I think it’s the experience that comes in handy.

The case with Mohammed Shami is also the same. But the inconsistency he possesses is one bad thing. He is well known for his silent role in the 1st innings and becoming lethal and dangerous in the 2nd innings of the game. When the ball starts reverse swing, it's Shami who is the most dangerous.

There is a chance Siraj getting picked instead of Ishant or Shami because of his last 2 series performances. But the most probable chance is to go with the experienced main bowlers. Since the match is at England the chance of playing 4 fast bowlers is there.

Then only 1 all-rounder will be played and that will be Ashwin. Then it may be Shardul Thakur with his batting skill who is most probable to get a chance. But with Ashwin and 6 strong batsmen Indian team can definitely think professional and go with the best fast bowling unit which allows Siraj to join the team. But the weak tail will be forcing India not to think like this.

The Probable Team

With the above discussions, it is clear that India is having a well-balanced team with enviable bench strength. Thanks to the IPL and the well-maintained and organized domestic leagues in India. Domestic leagues give the training and experience and IPL gives the exposure and confidence. Even though it makes the team selection difficult, it ensures the best team. Now it’s up to the selected eleven to perform and win the tournament.

My predicted eleven:  Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(C), Ajinkya Rahane(VC), Rishabh Pant(WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami.