'CSK ne Rahane ka Test career revive kardiya' - Fans react as India announces their squad for Test Championship final

With the Indian Cricket Board announcing a 15-man Indian squad for the upcoming Test Championship final versus Australia to be contested at The Oval in England starting on June 7, this year, Ajinkya Rahane returned to the Indian side after an outstanding start to the Indian Premier League 2023 campaign. KL Rahul is still in the squad even after being benched for the final two Games during the Australia series. 

After 15 months, Rahane has been recalled to the Indian Test team. In January 2022, he made his last appearance in the South Africa Test series which was also the last Test series as captain for Virat Kohli. Rahane's recent performance for Chennai Super Kings in the 2023 IPL, even though it was in a completely different format, is said to be the main driver of his comeback. Rahane has had an outstanding IPL season. In just five games for CSK, he has scored 209 runs at an astounding strike rate of 199.05, which is 62 greater than his previous 2019 best.

Who are the major significant absentees from the Test squad for the final against Australia?

The unavailability of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer is the other significant talking point as they were two key batters for the Indian side over the last few Test series for the Indian team. Iyer just underwent back surgery, and it is anticipated that he will be sidelined for a while. Pant, on the other hand, has begun his gradual healing process following a car accident that occurred in December of last year. 

Along with Rahane, veteran Indian team cricketer KL Rahul made the 15-man roster despite losing his vice-captaincy and spot in the team for the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests against Australia. Rahul, on the other hand, has little chance to be a front-runner due to his recent performances in the Test series against Australia. Instead, as the designated keeper-batter KS, he may put on a pair of gloves as well as bat in the middle of the order. Bharat's weaknesses with the bat may prevent him from making the starting XI and a call might have to be taken during the final days of preparation. 

Fans react to India announcing their squad for the Test Championship final against Australia: -

India's WTC Final squad:

Rohit (C), Gill, Pujara, Kohli, Rahane, KL, Bharat (WK), Ashwin, Jadeja, Axar, Thakur, Shami, Siraj, Umesh and Unadkat.

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 25, 2023

Rahane is back

— Abhinav singh (@Abhinav_tmk) April 25, 2023

Unadkat ahead of Ishant🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

— Kohlified. (@123perthclassic) April 25, 2023

Rohit rahane kohli gill pujara enough to showcase some good total on board but need klr or Bharat to perform well to steal the cup with ease pic.twitter.com/i4AB9664xy

— jetha hi🏆ler 🐦 (@sterns_haschen) April 25, 2023

Typical from BCCI seeing Rahane's T20 IPL performance they pick him for test side 🤷‍♀️🤣 tho i dont even know why he was dropped from the test side in the first place.

— Pooh (@ThodaYehThodaWo) April 25, 2023

Dear selectors we need to meet pic.twitter.com/GCq4GiPIhp

— Yashh (@Y_On_Earthh) April 25, 2023

Rahane is back is great news

He is in form now. ...1st in Ranji now IPL

However he needs time to prepare for WTC final but that wont happen as CSK is likely to reach playoffs

Rest of team as expected

— amitava (@amitava0112) April 25, 2023

Rahane. CSK blood. What a comeback!

— Arindam (@arindam830) April 25, 2023

I think this is a weak team against Australia, specially batting only reliable on Rohit......

— rocket science 🚀🚀 (@AbhayMi14774467) April 25, 2023

Who is the vc? In case Rohit is injured (which happens too often), who would lead?

— Gold Std (@StdGold) April 25, 2023

Sarfaraz has been doing all wrong, he should have scored some quick 25 ball 50 to get into test team, not scoring piles of runs in Ranji cricket , I don't know when youngsters will learn this🤣🤣

— Tobias (anti impact player rule) (@starcy_56) April 25, 2023

Request to @BCCI please appointed Virat as Test Captain pic.twitter.com/JCrOYDzZvP

— Vishwas Bishnoi (@VishwasDhayal29) April 25, 2023

Idk why, but this team looks weak.

— Radhe Mundada (@RadheMundadaa) April 25, 2023