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Ishant Sharma
The ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand is set to start in June 18. The BCCI recently announced the starting XI for India for the World Test Championship final. The duo of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will open for India. The middle-order will comprise Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Rishabh Pant. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin are the 2 bowling all-rounders in the starting XI. Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ishant Sharma are the pure pace bowlers in the starting XI. In a toss-up between Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj, the former was given the nod to start for India in the WTC final. That said, here are 3 reasons why Ishant Sharma was picked over Mohammed Siraj in the WTC final:
⦁ Ishant Sharma is far more experienced than Mohammed Siraj in the Test format
Mohammed Siraj has been in fine form for India in the Test format. Siraj was brilliant for India against Australia in the Test series down under. However, the Indian team management felt the need to play a more experienced bowler against New Zealand in the WTC final. Siraj has only played 5 Tests for India in his career. On the other hand, Ishant Sharma is the most experienced bowler in the Indian Test squad. Sharma has played 101 Tests for India in his career. Sharma’s experience will surely come in handy against New Zealand in the WTC final.
⦁ The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma is relentless
The trio of Shami, Bumrah, and Sharma has been highly effective for India in the World Test Championship. In total, the trio has scalped a total of 106 wickets for India in the World Test Championship. Moreover, these 3 bowlers have played with each other for the past 2 years. Hence, it would be more beneficial for India to play Ishant Sharma ahead of Mohammed Siraj in the starting XI.
⦁ Ishant Sharma’s terrific batting skills
While Ishant Sharma is a superb pace bowler in Tests, he can also score runs for the team if needed. Sharma has amassed 746 runs for India in his Test career. Sharma’s defensive batting style is another reason why he got the nod ahead of Mohammed Siraj in the WTC final.