Rohit Sharma’s Team India will meet Pat Cummins’ Australian side in the historic WTC 2023 Final, which is the second edition of this competition. India lost the inaugural WTC final in 2021 to New Zealand in Southampton. Not too far away will take place the WTC 2023 Final, between India and Australia at the Kia Oval in London.
In the WTC Final 2023, India will aim to avenge their loss from the 2021 WTC final against New Zealand and end their ICC title drought of 10 years while Australia will look to make a statement ahead of the crucial Ashes series in England.
What will be India’s playing XI for WTC final 2023 vs Australia?
Rohit Sharma is set to open and Shubman Gill is likely to partner the India captain at the top having recently displaced KL Rahul from the opening slot in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 series.
KL Rahul, however, is also in the squad and could play at number 5 in the absence of the injured Shreyas Iyer. Rahul’s good form in the 2021 series in England might see him get through in the side in Iyer’s place. Cheteshwar Pujara is at number 3. He’s currently leading Sussex in County cricket and has slammed 2 tons in 3 matches. Virat Kohli will follow at number 4.
Ajinkya Rahane is also selected for this one-off Test match that is the WTC final, but might remain on the bench and as a substitute. Unless, India choose KL Rahul as the wicket-keeper instead of KS Bharat then Rahane, with his IPL form and confidence, would come in the XI.
KS Bharat is likely to be the wicket-keeper but the management can go left-field for one match and give KL Rahul the gloves to include Rahane in the XI.
Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are three confirmed starters. It remains uncertain whether Ashwin, one of India’s greatest Test bowlers, is a starter or not. Kohli and Shastri dropped Ashwin from the 5 Tests against England in England in 2021/22 and included Shardul Thakur as the pace-bowling all-rounder. But Rohit-Dravid are likely to stick with Ashwin.
One of Umesh Yadav and Jaydev Unadkat will be selected the third pacer in the absence of Bumrah. Umesh is likely to get the nod owing of his experience but Unadkat’s left-arm angle is also tempting.
India’s probable XI for WTC Final 2023 vs Australia:
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav
Here is India’s squad for WTC final:
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat
Australia’s squad for WTC final 2023:
Pat Cummins (Captain), Steve Smith (VC), David Warner, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Renshaw, Marcus Harris, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Mitchell Marsh, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, and Todd Murphy
