WTC Final: Indian needed a fast-bowling all-rounder: Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli believes that India had the best playing XI on the field for the World Test Championship final. But the players failed to perform good enough to make India secure a win in the title match. In a post-match conference, Virat Kohli stated that India would have needed an all-rounder fast bowler to go for a different balanced combination.

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Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Indian skipper Virat Kohli believes that India had the best playing XI on the field for the World Test Championship final. But the players failed to perform well enough to make India secure a win in the title match. In a post-match conference, Virat Kohli stated that India would have needed an all-rounder fast bowler to go for a different balanced combination.

India had fielded three steamers and two spinning all-rounders during the WTC Final. But New Zealand chose to play four pacers along with all-rounder Colin De Grandhomme.

Although Jadeja contributed with the bat, he could do little with the ball on a pitch that assisted seamers. But Virat Kohli stated that spinners would have had more success if the weather had allowed more days of cricket. He added that the team selection was a unanimous decision considering previous success. The team had good batting depth and was successful in almost all overseas conditions. So it was decided that it is the best XI that could play for India. It just wanted to cover all bases for the team. Moreover, with more game time, the spinners would have been successful. Virat Kohli also acknowledged that an all-rounder fast bowler would have suited the overcast conditions well and maintained the team balance.

The best-suited fast bowling all-rounder for India is Hardik Pandya

But currently, he is preparing for the Sri Lanka tour to play a limited-overs series in July. Moreover, Hardik Pandya does not have the all-clear to play Test cricket yet and would not get it until after IPL 2021.

New Zealand also had a similar batting line-up like India with an all-rounder at number 7. But Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult are good with the bat and provided an edge to the Kiwis.

Virat Kohli also congratulated Kyle Jamieson for his performance. He also said that Jamieson deserved to get the man of the match award. Jamieson has good skills and attitude which makes him a quality cricketer.  He can bowl in a good area and perform well with the bat if he has the chance. Jamieson performed very well during the title match and deserved the man of the match award. 

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Hardik Pandya Virat Kohli Kane Williamson Ravichandran Ashwin Ravindra Jadeja India vs New Zealand 2023 WTC Test cricket Kyle Jamieson