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Ishant Sharma
Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad reckons that it is shocking to see people rating Ishant Sharma as India's third pace option for the WTC. Venkatesh Prasad stated that Ishant Sharma has played more than 100 Tests and also has a lot of experience of playing county cricket in England. Thus, including a bowler like Ishant Sharma is a must.
Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad also believes that the Indian cricket team has got all bases covered to get past a high-on-confidence New Zealand in the World Test Championship final. It will take place from June 18 to 22 in Southampton. Following the final, the Indian team will have a 40-day break as the five-match Tests series will commence on August 4. The men's team is likely to play a couple of intra-squad games before the England series.
India's batting line-up can put 350 runs on the board despite the conditions: Venkatesh Prasad
Unlike his playing days, Prasad feels the Indian cricket team now has a third or a fourth seamer who can maintain pressure built by the new ball bowlers. At the same time, the former also feels that the team has the batting line-up that can put 350 runs on the board irrespective of the conditions. Talking about the possible playing eleven for the WTC final, Prasad says it will be a straightforward decision for Indian skipper Virat Kohli and the team management. If given an opportunity, Prasad would both go in with spinners in R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. For the pace unit, the former went with Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah.
Talking about the Indian spinners, Ashwin is currently placed third in the list of leading wicket-taker in the WTC. In 13 matches so far, Ashwin has picked up 67 wickets. Now, he requires four more wickets to reach the top. However, if he manages to pick four wickets, he will surpass Australian pacer, Pat Cummins. Cummins has picked up 70 scalps from 14 games.
On the other hand, Ravindra Jadeja didn't play the Test series against England as he was recovering from an injury. However, the all-rounder has scalped 28 wickets from 10 games in the WTC. Thus, it will be interesting to see if the management included both the spinners in the playing XI.