Ajit Agarkar picks India's playing XI for World Test Championship Final

India and New Zealand are all set to script history as they will feature in the final of the first edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) scheduled from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. With the final just a couple of days away, many cricket analysts and fans are coming up with their own assumptions regarding the winner and the playing XI for both teams. 

The latest addition to this is former Indian cricketer Ajit Agarkar. Ajit picked his Playing XI for India for the summit clash and managed to stun the fans with some interesting choices. Starting with the opening pair, Ajit picked Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. While Rohit is a confirmed selection for the opening slot, there is confusion regarding who should be picked from Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal.

 Mayank was a permanent opener for India but he was dropped during the four-match Test series against Australia after his poor run in the first two games. Gill, on the other hand, performed well during the Test series against Australia but failed to make an impact in the four-match Test series against England.

Ajit Agarkar picks three seamers and two spinners

For Number three, Agarkar picked veteran Chetshewar Pujara followed by skipper Virat Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and young wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant. India is likely to face a big selection headache while choosing the bowlers. While the combination of two spinners and three pacers seems ideal, the pitches in England are known for producing bounce and swing that favors pace bowling more.

However, Ajit decided to go ahead with the tried and tested combination of three speedsters and two spinners. Ravindra Jadeja ad Ravi Ashwin are two spin all-rounders who made it to Ajit’s playing XI. Notably, both Jadeja and Ashwin are capable of playing a match-defining role as batsmen too. While for the pace bowlers, the 43-year-old picked three experienced seamers including the likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Jasprit Bumrah. 

Ajit Agarkar’s India’s Playing XI for the WTC Final: Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Ajit Agarkar Picked his India's Playing XI for the WTC Final:-

1. Rohit Sharma.
2. Mayank Agarwal.
3. Che Pujara.
4. Virat Kohli (C).
5. Ajinkya Rahane.
6. Rishabh Pant (WK).
7. Ravindra Jadeja.
8. Ravi Ashwin.
9. Ishant Sharma.
10. Mohammed Shami.
11. Jasprit Bumrah.

— CricketMAN2 (@man4_cricket) June 7, 2021