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Mohammed-Shami
Former Indian fast bowler Ajit Agarkar believes that Mohammed Shami is the number one bowler for an Indian Test line-up. The veteran's first pick in India's three-pronged pace unit for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand is Mohammed Shami. There has been a lot of rumours about India's seamers for the maiden season of the WTC. However, in a leaked audio clip of Virat Kohli, he stated that they would target the NZ left-handers with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. During a discussion on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Ajit Agarkar selected Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma as his preferred pace attack for Team India for the forthcoming series.
India has an intense pace unit and has plenty of options to choose from
The Indian cricket team is also likely to rope in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, along with three pace bowlers. The spinners inclusion will ultimately depend on the conditions. Indian all-rounder Shardul Thakur might also get a chance if India decides to play a fourth seamer in order to add some depth to the batting line-up.
India and New Zealand will face each other in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship from June 18 to 22. The New Zealand team is currently playing a Test series against England. Thus, they can build on a perfect playing XI for the WTC final. Considering India hasn't played a Test match since, they are likely to face some issues. The Indian cricket team have carried as many as six pacers for the UK tour, and all of them might get an opportunity during the long tour.
Jasprit Bumrah, who made his Test debut in 2018, was one of the top performers on the previous England tour. The young pacer picked up 14 wickets in 3 Tests. Mohammed Shami, who was dropped from the Test side just a couple of months before, has managed to pick 16 wickets in 5 Tests. On the other hand, Ishant Sharma is the only player with around 100 caps in the present set-up. He has grabbed 18 wickets. It will be interesting to if the visitors play both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin together or not. The last time the Indian cricket team played in England, Ashwin featured in four Tests, whereas Jadeja was included in the playing XI for the fourth and final Test match.