Former Indian player and head coach Ravi Shastri discussed the dilemma surrounding Team India’s playing XI for the World Test Championship final versus Australia. With KL Rahul ruled out due to injury, the selection is a shoot out between KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan.
Bharat has been a consistent No.2 option for Team India after the departure of Wriddhiman Saha. The wicketkeeper made his Border Gavaskar Trophy debut lately and was retained in the squad for the WTC Final as well.
Kishan earned his first red ball call up ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but did not have a chance to participate, since Bharat played all four matches.
“It’s not that one guy is far better than the other” – Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri stated in the newest issue of the ICC Review that there is little difference between the two options:
“See, that’s another tight one (decision). Now, if two spinners are playing, then you would want Bharat to play. You have to see who’s a better keeper. Is it Bharat or Ishan Kishan? Now, the fact that Bharat was given a run against Australia, where he played all the Test matches, I think he would be the obvious choice to go with.”
“There’s not much there. It’s not that one guy is far better than the other. Batting will also come into play, whether you want Ishan Kishan’s batting to shore up the middle order. That’s another thing you’ll take into perspective.”
“Are you going to go with four fast bowlers? Then there’s not much spin and you just need someone decent behind the stumps to do the job.”
Ravi Shastri
Ravi Shastri’s anticipated XI for the WTC final had two spinners, with KS Bharat named as the wicketkeeper. Bharat has scored 101 runs in six innings and has been influential with his abilities behind the wickets on difficult rank turners.
“I think Bharat will be a pretty straightforward choice” – Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik believes that KS Bharat is the clear pick amongst the two contenders.
Given the importance of the battle, the experienced player feels that Ishan Kishan should not be put in the limelight.
“I think Bharat will be a pretty straightforward choice because playing Ishan Kishan in his debut and a Test match straight in the World Test Championship Final is asking a bit too much.”
“And the fact that KS Bharat probably tips the scale in favour of himself just a little bit with this keeping edge that he has got. So I do think they will go in with KS Bharat for the final.”