Ashwin, Jadeja named in squad

Southampton, June 15

Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were both named in India’s 15-man squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand, which begins on Friday.

Jadeja, along with Mohammed Shami, Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav, all of whom sustained injuries during the tour of Australia in December and January, return to India’s Test squad after missing the home series against England earlier this year. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who starred in the 3-1 Test series win against England, and batsman KL Rahul, who underwent surgery for appendicitis in May, missed the cut, after being named in the preliminary 20-man squad. Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Mayank Agarwal were also left out.

Skipper Williamson cleared

New Zealand have cleared captain Kane Williamson and wicketkeeper BJ Watling to play in the final, while retaining Ajaz Patel as specialist spinner in their 15-man squad. Williamson and Watling missed the eight-wicket victory over England in Birmingham due to injuries. New Zealand won the series 1-0. Patel took four wickets in the victory at Edgbaston. Doug Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner will miss out on the India clash after being part of the original 20-player squad.

All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been retained, with Will Young providing specialist batting cover and Tom Blundell the reserve wicketkeeper. — Reuters

SQUADS

India

Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

New Zealand

Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young

Laxman backs Shubman to open in final

Mumbai: Young opener Shubman Gill is looking in good rhythm and should continue to open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma in the WTC final against New Zealand, former India batsman VVS Laxman said today. “I would like continuity. I think Shubman Gill is a wonderful talent, he has shown what he is capable of doing under pressure,” Laxman said. “So, I would back Shubman and also in the intra-squad match, he scored an 80-plus score, so that means he is in good rhythm, so I would still back Shubman to open with Rohit Sharma.” Laxman also felt that India start as favourites in the marquee clash due to the depth, experience and talent they have. PTI

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