ICC WTC final: India's predicted playing XI

India will play their 2nd ICC WTC final in 2023, This time they will face Australia in the summit clash at The Oval, London.

After the overdose of T20 cricket, fans are ready to shift their interest towards old-fashioned and regular fixtures of red-ball cricket. Just a week after, India will take on Australia at The Oval for the ICC World Test Championship Final. The WTC final will begin on 7th June. India will be playing their 2nd WTC final, they tasted defeat against New Zealand in the first-ever final played in 2021. The Indian cricket team are empty-handed in ICC events after the Champions Trophy 2013. Since then they have come closer but failed to place their hands on the trophy. India is sensing an opportunity in the upcoming big game as they had a great time during the last England tour and played a 2-2 draw against England. 

Team India are dealing with multiple injury issues and have their ace red-ball match winners ruled out from the game. Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant are recovering from their respective injuries. KL Rahul is also out for a few weeks due to an injury he carried in the IPL 2023. These injuries have put India a little on the back foot. Plus they will have only this week to regroup and strategies about the big game against the Australians. Team India will be charting out their strongest playing eleven in the game. Team India are boosted by an experienced middle order after Ajinkya Rahane’s comeback. The debate will be around spinners, will Rohit field two specialist spinners once again or go with just one among Ashwin & Jadeja to plan Ishan Kishan as a specialist batter at 6. 

India's predicted Playing XI vs Australia, ICC WTC final:

1 . Rohit Sharma (C)

Captain Rohit Sharma will have a big test to face in his career. This is also a kind of litmus test for him being a leader of the Test squad and as an opener for the longer format. Being a good strategist, he needs to be at his A-game against Australia in the big final. 

2. Shubman Gill 

Coming from a great IPL 2023 season, Gill will have a huge role in his hand. Gill has been in magnificent form this year and team management will expect a big knock from him. The Oval wicket might prove a positive for him as well. This will be his 3rd Test in the English soil. 

3. Cheteshwar Pujara 

Cheteshwar Pujara started his preparation for the big game early as he was busy playing County Championship for Sussex when most of the WTC squad members were busy playing in the IPL 2023. Pujara had smashed 3 centuries and a fifty in 8 innings. 

4. Virat Kohli 

India’s biggest match-winner in each format will have a huge role in his hands. Virat as a skipper missed out on lifting the championship 2 years back, now he will be looking to play a winning role in the upcoming final. Kohli had a great run during the IPL 2023. 

5. Ajinkya Rahane

Shreyas Iyer’s injury and Rahane's own IPL performance has given him a lifeline in his fading international career. Iyer’s injury made sure Rahane will be in the starting eleven at his usual batting position number 5. Rahane will be key in the middle order with his aggressive approach.  

6. KS Bharat (WK)

In the absence of Rishabh Pant, a man from Andhra Pradesh will take responsibility as a wicketkeeper. This will be Bharat’s first-ever big foreign assignment. KS Bharat made his debut in the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia earlier this year. 

7. Ravindra Jadeja 

Chennai Super Kings' hero of the final, Ravindra Jadeja is high on confidence and team management will not risk dropping him from a big game. Jadeja has improved his batting and will play the role of a much-needed all-rounder against Australia. This will also allow India to go with a 6-5 combination. 

8. Ravichandran Ashwin 

Ashwin’s game will have an impactful role at The Oval against Australian left-handers. Ashwin is among the leading wicket-takers in the World Test Championship. Jadeja playing as an all-rounder will allow him to expand his role in India’s spin department. 

9. Shardul Thakur

When India traveled to England in 2021, Shardul Thakur had an impactful tour with both, bat and ball. Thakur at number 9 in batting will also provide an extra cushion for the team India in the batting order. Thakur’s movement might create trouble for Australia in the early overs. 

10. Mohammed Shami 

India’s pace attack under Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami looks like one of the most threatening ones in the world currently. With Bumrah injured, Shami will take responsibility as a leader. Shami had a great IPL 2023 and won a purple cap, if he continues his rhythm and found his length early he will be threatening. 

11. Mohammed Siraj 

Captain Rohit will hope Mohammed Siraj will watch his highlights of the 2021 England tour. Siraj picked up 18 wickets in 5 test series. Along with Mohammed Siraj, Shami, and Thakur will make a good partnership in bowling. Siraj had a great IPL season as well.