After two months of the Indian Premier League (IPL) action, Indian players will head to England to face Australia in the 2023<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/best-indian-team-selected-ravi-shastri-opens-up-on-indias-squad-selection-for-world-test-championship-final/" title="ICC World Test Championship">ICC World Test Championship</a></strong> (WTC) final. The summit clash will be held on June 7, 2023, at the Oval in London. India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 against the Aussies by a 2-1 margin and they will look to outclass them again on the D-Day.

Amidst the T20 action, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-player squad that will lock horns with Pat Cummins and Co. at the Oval.&nbsp;Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer are missing from the team.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="Ajinkya Rahane" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ajinkya Rahane</strong></a>, who played his last international match in January 2022, has made a comeback in the Indian team. For captain Rohit Sharma, the mission will be to quench India’s nine-year thirst for an ICC trophy. To pull off the strenuous task, the skipper will look to field his best XI that could get India the trophy that they have been eyeing for since the previous edition.

Discussing more, here is India’s predicted playing XI for the WTC final against Australia

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678708949009_Rohit-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Captain Rohit will have to lead from the front in the marquee game. Banking on his vast experience, the team management will expect him to step up on the big day and deliver ideal starts in the match. Thus far, the veteran has piled up 3379 runs with nine tons and 14 fifties in 83 innings of his Test career.

On English surfaces, he has scored 466 runs with a hundred and a couple of half-centuries in 12 innings of six contests. The Nagpur-born batter played his last game in England, at the WTC 2023 final venue Oval. In the fourth Test of the Pataudi Trophy 2021-22, he smashed a match-winning 127 to help his team clinch the game by 157 runs.&nbsp;

While talking about his record against Australia, the 35-year-old has racked up 650 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 20 innings of 11 matches. Going through the past, there are high chances of The Oval track being batting-friendly. Noting this fact, Rohit will look to be impactful against the Aussies.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678533674713_Shubman-Gill.jpeg" alt="Shubman Gill" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Currently, Shubman Gill is in exceptional form with the bat. In this year’s Border-Gavaskar 2022-23 at home, he looked dominating with his bat. Scoring 154 runs in three innings of two matches, he exuded confidence with his bat. In his brief Test career, the 23-year-old has gathered 890 runs in 28 innings of 15 matches.

These numbers corroborate his efficiency in the longest format of the sport. In the final WTC game, his role will be to support his captain Rohit with his spunky batting attitude. Against Australia, his record has been amazing as the right-handed batter has scored 413 runs in nine innings of five matches.&nbsp;

In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, he played a crucial role in India’s consecutive second Test series victory in Australia. Playing the fourth Test at The Gabba, he powered the team with 91 runs in the second innings to help the team bag the decider match. This time, the youngster will be expected to do the same for the nation again at the iconic Oval.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677774516066_Cheteshwar-Pujara.jpeg" alt="Cheteshwar Pujara" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Cheteshwar Pujara (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Cheteshwar Pujara will reinforce India’s batting unit in the mega event against the mighty Aussies. His experience and skills will be essential for the team to lift the prestigious WTC mace. With more than 12 years of experience in his international Test career, he has smashed 7154 runs with 19 hundreds and 35 fifties in 174 innings of 102 matches.

In the last one and a half years, the veteran has played a lot of <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/budding-left-arm-spinner-matthew-kuhnemanns-impressive-county-championship-stint-gets-derailed-due-to-back-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">County </a></strong>cricket in England and that could help him to fare well for the national side against the Aussies. Currently, he is serving Sussex in the County Championship Division Two 2023. In the recently held match against Durham, he looked dominating and contributed 115 and 35 in his team’s phenomenal two-wicket win.

These numbers of Pujara will bring joy to the faces of Indian team supporters, and they will now expect their oldest stalwart to continue his form against the Aussies in the marquee contest as well. Talking about his batting numbers against Australia in the longest format, the 35-year-old has played 24 matches and racked up 2033 runs with five tons and 11 fifties in 43 innings.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678606955353_Virat-Kohli.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

All eyes will be set on the star player Virat Kohli as he has to show his best side against the Aussies to clinch the maiden WTC title. Along with other senior players such as skipper Rohit and the top-order batter Pujara, his responsibility will be to deliver solid numbers to the team in the top order.

In the previous Test series against Australia, he gained his lost form in the fourth Test held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Scoring the 28th century of his Test career, he ended the Test century drought by getting to the three-figure mark after more than three years. With 297 runs in six innings of five matches, he ended up as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament.

The 34-year-old has played a lot of cricket in England and keeping the fact in mind, he will look forward to using his experience to bag the upcoming match in June. In 31 innings of 16 Tests in England, he has scored 1022 runs with two hundreds and five half-centuries. While talking about his numbers against Australia, the dashing batter has 1979 runs in with eight centuries and five fifties in 42 innings of 24 Tests.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane-4.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

As Shreyas Iyer will not be available in the WTC final contest, the selectors have trusted experienced Ajinkya Rahane to solidify the team in the middle order. The veteran might make a comeback in the international circuit almost after 16 months. In the ongoing IPL, he is performing excellently for his side Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

However, things will be completely different for him after the league as he might feature in India’s WTC final playing XI against the Aussies. After playing the T20 format for almost two months, he will have to acclimatise to red-ball cricket. After getting dropped from the national side, he remained active in domestic cricket.

In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he captained Mumbai and scored 634 runs in 11 innings of seven matches. Against Hyderabad, he led from the front by slamming an incredible double century. Looking at his current form, it could be said the 34-year-old is looking vibrant and could turn out to be a perfect addition for the crucial meeting against the Aussies in London.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676792984443_Ravindra-Jadeja.jpeg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round services will become important for India to claim a victory against Cummins and his boys. He was one of the top performers for India in the previous Test series against Australia. Scalping 22 wickets in eight innings of four matches, at an average of 18.86, he made a sensational comeback in international cricket, following a long injury layoff.&nbsp;

In the upcoming WTC final challenge, his role will be vital for India to get the better of the Aussies. The veteran’s unprecedented all-round capability powers the team in every department of the game. Along with Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara, Jadeja is also familiar with English conditions.

The 34-year-old has played 11 Tests in England, thus far, in which he has trapped 23 batters in 19 innings, with his best figures of 7/258 in a match. Jadeja’s batting record is also incredible on English soil as the stylish India all-rounder has hit 594 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 21 innings.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2018/08/KS-Bharat.jpg" alt="KS Bharat" loading="lazy"><figcaption>KS Bharat. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

In the massive encounter against the Aussies in June, India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant, who holds a fine record on English soil. To fill the 25-year-old’s shoes, selectors have included KS Bharat in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="squad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>squad</strong></a>. The Andhra player, who made his international debut in the Nagpur Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, will be seen standing behind the wickets and strengthening the batting in the middle order.

In four matches played so far, Bharat has scored 101 runs in six innings, with his highest score of 44 against Australia in Ahmedabad. The 29-year-old is definitely a newcomer in the international circuit, but his vast experience in first-class cricket will help him to showcase his best in the high-voltage match.

Prior to the Australia series, he also played in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23. For his team Andhra, he played a couple of decent knocks with his bat in five innings of three contests. Against the quality pace attack of Australia on the rapid surface of the Oval, his assignment will be to bolster India’s batting in the lower middle order.

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Shardul-Thakur-v-South-Africa.jpg" alt="Shardul Thakur v South Africa" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Shardul Thakur v South Africa. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

On the fast Oval surface, Shardul Thakur might become an important member of India’s pace attack. With his disciplined medium-pace bowling, the 31-year-old possesses the potential to wreck the Aussie batting line-up. Back in 2021, he wreaked havoc on the Australian side in the Brisbane Test.

Bagging 3/94 and 4/61 figures with the ball against the hosts, he played a major role in India’s historic three-wicket triumph. In the match, he also played a salient role with the bat, scoring a match-winning 67 in the first innings. With this all-round performance, he became a notable figure in international cricket.&nbsp;

However, Thakur’s bowling numbers are not so impressive in England as he has added only eight wickets to his profile in six innings of three Tests. With the bat, he has exuded confidence by delivering some fine knocks to the team. In five innings of three Tests played on English soil, the dynamic all-rounder has scored 122 runs with a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676633351885_Mohammed-Shami.jpeg" alt="Mohammed Shami." loading="lazy"><figcaption>Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

Mohammed Shami will spearhead India’s pace attack with his immense experience. At the Oval, his endeavours will be to get help from the track, using his pace. Along with other pacers, he will be expected to deliver early breakthroughs to the team. &nbsp;In a career spanning nearly 10 years, he has emerged as the team’s mainstay pacer in the longest format of the sport.

The speedster has taken 225 wickets in 120 innings of 63 Tests, at an average of 27.48. These numbers ratify his authenticity to leading the bowling unit in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. In current times, he has been consistent with the ball. The veteran played three games in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 and picked up nine wickets in six innings.

In England, the 32-year-old’s record is decent as he has bagged 38 wickets in 23 innings of 13 Tests, at an average of 40.52. However, his numbers are not impressive at the Kennington, Oval. So far, Shami has appeared in only one game at this venue, and in that too, he failed to be impactful. Against Joe Root-led England, he chipped in with only two wickets in a losing cause.&nbsp;

<img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671705941850_Umesh-Yadav.jpeg" alt="Umesh Yadav" loading="lazy"><figcaption>Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>

In the grand WTC final, Umesh Yadav will be the nucleus of the Indian pace attack. The speedster has the ability to thwart the Aussie batters relying on his skills. In his 12-year career, he has claimed 168 wickets in 110 innings of 56 Tests, with his career-best figures of 10/133.&nbsp;

The 35-year-old played the role of a wrecker-in-chief in India’s last Test victory against England at the Oval. With 3/76 and 3/60 spells in the match, he took the game home. This time, the team management will expect him to showcase his best in the huge contest and help the team create history at the iconic stadium in London.

The speedster has contested against Australia a lot of times and his previous experience will help him to outclass them. Fetching 51 wickets in 30 innings of 16 Tests against Australia, at an average of 37.58, he is the leading wicket-taker among the pacers selected for India’s WTC 2023 final match.

Mohammed Siraj has performed phenomenally for India in red-ball cricket. Thus far, the medium pacer has dismissed 47 batters in 33 innings of 18 matches at an average of 31.29. The talented pacer will have to bolster the fast-bowling unit of India along with his colleagues Shami and Umesh.

As the final battle will be fought at the iconic Oval, he will get enough support from the pitch. Utlising his seam-bowling skills, he could come heavily on the Aussies in the blockbuster clash. His bowling figures against Australia will also work as a confidence booster for him.&nbsp;

Against the former no 1 Test side, the 29-year-old has hunted 14 batters in 10 innings of six Tests, at an average of 32.64. In January 2021, the pacer grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul against the powerful Australia side in the fourth Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba.&nbsp;

<p>After two months of the Indian Premier League (IPL) action, Indian players will head to England to face Australia in the 2023<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/best-indian-team-selected-ravi-shastri-opens-up-on-indias-squad-selection-for-world-test-championship-final/" title="ICC World Test Championship">ICC World Test Championship</a></strong> (WTC) final. The summit clash will be held on June 7, 2023, at the Oval in London. India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 against the Aussies by a 2-1 margin and they will look to outclass them again on the D-Day.</p>
<p>Amidst the T20 action, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-player squad that will lock horns with Pat Cummins and Co. at the Oval.&nbsp;Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer are missing from the team.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="Ajinkya Rahane" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ajinkya Rahane</strong></a>, who played his last international match in January 2022, has made a comeback in the Indian team. For captain Rohit Sharma, the mission will be to quench India’s nine-year thirst for an ICC trophy. To pull off the strenuous task, the skipper will look to field his best XI that could get India the trophy that they have been eyeing for since the previous edition.</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here is India’s predicted playing XI for the WTC final against Australia</h3>
<h3>1. Rohit Sharma</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678708949009_Rohit-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Captain Rohit will have to lead from the front in the marquee game. Banking on his vast experience, the team management will expect him to step up on the big day and deliver ideal starts in the match. Thus far, the veteran has piled up 3379 runs with nine tons and 14 fifties in 83 innings of his Test career.</p>
<p>On English surfaces, he has scored 466 runs with a hundred and a couple of half-centuries in 12 innings of six contests. The Nagpur-born batter played his last game in England, at the WTC 2023 final venue Oval. In the fourth Test of the Pataudi Trophy 2021-22, he smashed a match-winning 127 to help his team clinch the game by 157 runs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While talking about his record against Australia, the 35-year-old has racked up 650 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 20 innings of 11 matches. Going through the past, there are high chances of The Oval track being batting-friendly. Noting this fact, Rohit will look to be impactful against the Aussies.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Shubman Gill</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678533674713_Shubman-Gill.jpeg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Currently, Shubman Gill is in exceptional form with the bat. In this year’s Border-Gavaskar 2022-23 at home, he looked dominating with his bat. Scoring 154 runs in three innings of two matches, he exuded confidence with his bat. In his brief Test career, the 23-year-old has gathered 890 runs in 28 innings of 15 matches.</p>
<p>These numbers corroborate his efficiency in the longest format of the sport. In the final WTC game, his role will be to support his captain Rohit with his spunky batting attitude. Against Australia, his record has been amazing as the right-handed batter has scored 413 runs in nine innings of five matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, he played a crucial role in India’s consecutive second Test series victory in Australia. Playing the fourth Test at The Gabba, he powered the team with 91 runs in the second innings to help the team bag the decider match. This time, the youngster will be expected to do the same for the nation again at the iconic Oval.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Cheteshwar Pujara</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677774516066_Cheteshwar-Pujara.jpeg" alt="Cheteshwar Pujara" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Cheteshwar Pujara (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cheteshwar Pujara will reinforce India’s batting unit in the mega event against the mighty Aussies. His experience and skills will be essential for the team to lift the prestigious WTC mace. With more than 12 years of experience in his international Test career, he has smashed 7154 runs with 19 hundreds and 35 fifties in 174 innings of 102 matches.</p>
<p>In the last one and a half years, the veteran has played a lot of <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/budding-left-arm-spinner-matthew-kuhnemanns-impressive-county-championship-stint-gets-derailed-due-to-back-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">County </a></strong>cricket in England and that could help him to fare well for the national side against the Aussies. Currently, he is serving Sussex in the County Championship Division Two 2023. In the recently held match against Durham, he looked dominating and contributed 115 and 35 in his team’s phenomenal two-wicket win.</p>
<p>These numbers of Pujara will bring joy to the faces of Indian team supporters, and they will now expect their oldest stalwart to continue his form against the Aussies in the marquee contest as well. Talking about his batting numbers against Australia in the longest format, the 35-year-old has played 24 matches and racked up 2033 runs with five tons and 11 fifties in 43 innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Virat Kohli</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678606955353_Virat-Kohli.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>All eyes will be set on the star player Virat Kohli as he has to show his best side against the Aussies to clinch the maiden WTC title. Along with other senior players such as skipper Rohit and the top-order batter Pujara, his responsibility will be to deliver solid numbers to the team in the top order.</p>
<p>In the previous Test series against Australia, he gained his lost form in the fourth Test held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Scoring the 28th century of his Test career, he ended the Test century drought by getting to the three-figure mark after more than three years. With 297 runs in six innings of five matches, he ended up as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old has played a lot of cricket in England and keeping the fact in mind, he will look forward to using his experience to bag the upcoming match in June. In 31 innings of 16 Tests in England, he has scored 1022 runs with two hundreds and five half-centuries. While talking about his numbers against Australia, the dashing batter has 1979 runs in with eight centuries and five fifties in 42 innings of 24 Tests.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. Ajinkya Rahane</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane-4.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As Shreyas Iyer will not be available in the WTC final contest, the selectors have trusted experienced Ajinkya Rahane to solidify the team in the middle order. The veteran might make a comeback in the international circuit almost after 16 months. In the ongoing IPL, he is performing excellently for his side Chennai Super Kings (CSK).</p>
<p>However, things will be completely different for him after the league as he might feature in India’s WTC final playing XI against the Aussies. After playing the T20 format for almost two months, he will have to acclimatise to red-ball cricket. After getting dropped from the national side, he remained active in domestic cricket.</p>
<p>In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he captained Mumbai and scored 634 runs in 11 innings of seven matches. Against Hyderabad, he led from the front by slamming an incredible double century. Looking at his current form, it could be said the 34-year-old is looking vibrant and could turn out to be a perfect addition for the crucial meeting against the Aussies in London.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>6. Ravindra Jadeja</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676792984443_Ravindra-Jadeja.jpeg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round services will become important for India to claim a victory against Cummins and his boys. He was one of the top performers for India in the previous Test series against Australia. Scalping 22 wickets in eight innings of four matches, at an average of 18.86, he made a sensational comeback in international cricket, following a long injury layoff.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the upcoming WTC final challenge, his role will be vital for India to get the better of the Aussies. The veteran’s unprecedented all-round capability powers the team in every department of the game. Along with Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara, Jadeja is also familiar with English conditions.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old has played 11 Tests in England, thus far, in which he has trapped 23 batters in 19 innings, with his best figures of 7/258 in a match. Jadeja’s batting record is also incredible on English soil as the stylish India all-rounder has hit 594 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 21 innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>7. KS Bharat</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2018/08/KS-Bharat.jpg" alt="KS Bharat" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>KS Bharat. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the massive encounter against the Aussies in June, India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant, who holds a fine record on English soil. To fill the 25-year-old’s shoes, selectors have included KS Bharat in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="squad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>squad</strong></a>. The Andhra player, who made his international debut in the Nagpur Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, will be seen standing behind the wickets and strengthening the batting in the middle order.</p>
<p>In four matches played so far, Bharat has scored 101 runs in six innings, with his highest score of 44 against Australia in Ahmedabad. The 29-year-old is definitely a newcomer in the international circuit, but his vast experience in first-class cricket will help him to showcase his best in the high-voltage match.</p>
<p>Prior to the Australia series, he also played in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23. For his team Andhra, he played a couple of decent knocks with his bat in five innings of three contests. Against the quality pace attack of Australia on the rapid surface of the Oval, his assignment will be to bolster India’s batting in the lower middle order.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>8. Shardul Thakur</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Shardul-Thakur-v-South-Africa.jpg" alt="Shardul Thakur v South Africa" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Shardul Thakur v South Africa. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the fast Oval surface, Shardul Thakur might become an important member of India’s pace attack. With his disciplined medium-pace bowling, the 31-year-old possesses the potential to wreck the Aussie batting line-up. Back in 2021, he wreaked havoc on the Australian side in the Brisbane Test.</p>
<p>Bagging 3/94 and 4/61 figures with the ball against the hosts, he played a major role in India’s historic three-wicket triumph. In the match, he also played a salient role with the bat, scoring a match-winning 67 in the first innings. With this all-round performance, he became a notable figure in international cricket.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, Thakur’s bowling numbers are not so impressive in England as he has added only eight wickets to his profile in six innings of three Tests. With the bat, he has exuded confidence by delivering some fine knocks to the team. In five innings of three Tests played on English soil, the dynamic all-rounder has scored 122 runs with a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>9. Mohammed Shami</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676633351885_Mohammed-Shami.jpeg" alt="Mohammed Shami." width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mohammed Shami will spearhead India’s pace attack with his immense experience. At the Oval, his endeavours will be to get help from the track, using his pace. Along with other pacers, he will be expected to deliver early breakthroughs to the team. &nbsp;In a career spanning nearly 10 years, he has emerged as the team’s mainstay pacer in the longest format of the sport.</p>
<p>The speedster has taken 225 wickets in 120 innings of 63 Tests, at an average of 27.48. These numbers ratify his authenticity to leading the bowling unit in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. In current times, he has been consistent with the ball. The veteran played three games in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 and picked up nine wickets in six innings.</p>
<p>In England, the 32-year-old’s record is decent as he has bagged 38 wickets in 23 innings of 13 Tests, at an average of 40.52. However, his numbers are not impressive at the Kennington, Oval. So far, Shami has appeared in only one game at this venue, and in that too, he failed to be impactful. Against Joe Root-led England, he chipped in with only two wickets in a losing cause.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>10. Umesh Yadav</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671705941850_Umesh-Yadav.jpeg" alt="Umesh Yadav" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption>Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the grand WTC final, Umesh Yadav will be the nucleus of the Indian pace attack. The speedster has the ability to thwart the Aussie batters relying on his skills. In his 12-year career, he has claimed 168 wickets in 110 innings of 56 Tests, with his career-best figures of 10/133.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 35-year-old played the role of a wrecker-in-chief in India’s last Test victory against England at the Oval. With 3/76 and 3/60 spells in the match, he took the game home. This time, the team management will expect him to showcase his best in the huge contest and help the team create history at the iconic stadium in London.</p>
<p>The speedster has contested against Australia a lot of times and his previous experience will help him to outclass them. Fetching 51 wickets in 30 innings of 16 Tests against Australia, at an average of 37.58, he is the leading wicket-taker among the pacers selected for India’s WTC 2023 final match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>11. Mohammed Siraj</h3>
<figure class="image" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammed-Siraj-2.jpg" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img>
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mohammed Siraj has performed phenomenally for India in red-ball cricket. Thus far, the medium pacer has dismissed 47 batters in 33 innings of 18 matches at an average of 31.29. The talented pacer will have to bolster the fast-bowling unit of India along with his colleagues Shami and Umesh.</p>
<p>As the final battle will be fought at the iconic Oval, he will get enough support from the pitch. Utlising his seam-bowling skills, he could come heavily on the Aussies in the blockbuster clash. His bowling figures against Australia will also work as a confidence booster for him.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Against the former no 1 Test side, the 29-year-old has hunted 14 batters in 10 innings of six Tests, at an average of 32.64. In January 2021, the pacer grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul against the powerful Australia side in the fourth Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After two months of the Indian Premier League (IPL) action, Indian players will head to England to face Australia in the 2023<strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/best-indian-team-selected-ravi-shastri-opens-up-on-indias-squad-selection-for-world-test-championship-final/" title="ICC World Test Championship">ICC World Test Championship</a></strong> (WTC) final. The summit clash will be held on June 7, 2023, at the Oval in London. India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 against the Aussies by a 2-1 margin and they will look to outclass them again on the D-Day.</p>
<p>Amidst the T20 action, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a 15-player squad that will lock horns with Pat Cummins and Co. at the Oval.&nbsp;Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer are missing from the team.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="Ajinkya Rahane" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ajinkya Rahane</strong></a>, who played his last international match in January 2022, has made a comeback in the Indian team. For captain Rohit Sharma, the mission will be to quench India’s nine-year thirst for an ICC trophy. To pull off the strenuous task, the skipper will look to field his best XI that could get India the trophy that they have been eyeing for since the previous edition.</p>
<h3>Discussing more, here is India’s predicted playing XI for the WTC final against Australia</h3>
<h3>1. Rohit Sharma</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678708949009_Rohit-Sharma.jpeg" alt="Rohit Sharma" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Captain Rohit will have to lead from the front in the marquee game. Banking on his vast experience, the team management will expect him to step up on the big day and deliver ideal starts in the match. Thus far, the veteran has piled up 3379 runs with nine tons and 14 fifties in 83 innings of his Test career.</p>
<p>On English surfaces, he has scored 466 runs with a hundred and a couple of half-centuries in 12 innings of six contests. The Nagpur-born batter played his last game in England, at the WTC 2023 final venue Oval. In the fourth Test of the Pataudi Trophy 2021-22, he smashed a match-winning 127 to help his team clinch the game by 157 runs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While talking about his record against Australia, the 35-year-old has racked up 650 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 20 innings of 11 matches. Going through the past, there are high chances of The Oval track being batting-friendly. Noting this fact, Rohit will look to be impactful against the Aussies.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>2. Shubman Gill</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678533674713_Shubman-Gill.jpeg" alt="Shubman Gill" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Currently, Shubman Gill is in exceptional form with the bat. In this year’s Border-Gavaskar 2022-23 at home, he looked dominating with his bat. Scoring 154 runs in three innings of two matches, he exuded confidence with his bat. In his brief Test career, the 23-year-old has gathered 890 runs in 28 innings of 15 matches.</p>
<p>These numbers corroborate his efficiency in the longest format of the sport. In the final WTC game, his role will be to support his captain Rohit with his spunky batting attitude. Against Australia, his record has been amazing as the right-handed batter has scored 413 runs in nine innings of five matches.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, he played a crucial role in India’s consecutive second Test series victory in Australia. Playing the fourth Test at The Gabba, he powered the team with 91 runs in the second innings to help the team bag the decider match. This time, the youngster will be expected to do the same for the nation again at the iconic Oval.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>3. Cheteshwar Pujara</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1677774516066_Cheteshwar-Pujara.jpeg" alt="Cheteshwar Pujara" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Cheteshwar Pujara (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Cheteshwar Pujara will reinforce India’s batting unit in the mega event against the mighty Aussies. His experience and skills will be essential for the team to lift the prestigious WTC mace. With more than 12 years of experience in his international Test career, he has smashed 7154 runs with 19 hundreds and 35 fifties in 174 innings of 102 matches.</p>
<p>In the last one and a half years, the veteran has played a lot of <strong><a href="https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/budding-left-arm-spinner-matthew-kuhnemanns-impressive-county-championship-stint-gets-derailed-due-to-back-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">County </a></strong>cricket in England and that could help him to fare well for the national side against the Aussies. Currently, he is serving Sussex in the County Championship Division Two 2023. In the recently held match against Durham, he looked dominating and contributed 115 and 35 in his team’s phenomenal two-wicket win.</p>
<p>These numbers of Pujara will bring joy to the faces of Indian team supporters, and they will now expect their oldest stalwart to continue his form against the Aussies in the marquee contest as well. Talking about his batting numbers against Australia in the longest format, the 35-year-old has played 24 matches and racked up 2033 runs with five tons and 11 fifties in 43 innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>4. Virat Kohli</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1678606955353_Virat-Kohli.jpeg" alt="Virat Kohli" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>All eyes will be set on the star player Virat Kohli as he has to show his best side against the Aussies to clinch the maiden WTC title. Along with other senior players such as skipper Rohit and the top-order batter Pujara, his responsibility will be to deliver solid numbers to the team in the top order.</p>
<p>In the previous Test series against Australia, he gained his lost form in the fourth Test held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Scoring the 28th century of his Test career, he ended the Test century drought by getting to the three-figure mark after more than three years. With 297 runs in six innings of five matches, he ended up as the second-leading run-scorer in the tournament.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old has played a lot of cricket in England and keeping the fact in mind, he will look forward to using his experience to bag the upcoming match in June. In 31 innings of 16 Tests in England, he has scored 1022 runs with two hundreds and five half-centuries. While talking about his numbers against Australia, the dashing batter has 1979 runs in with eight centuries and five fifties in 42 innings of 24 Tests.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>5. Ajinkya Rahane</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Ajinkya-Rahane-4.jpg" alt="Ajinkya Rahane" width="640" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Ajinkya Rahane. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As Shreyas Iyer will not be available in the WTC final contest, the selectors have trusted experienced Ajinkya Rahane to solidify the team in the middle order. The veteran might make a comeback in the international circuit almost after 16 months. In the ongoing IPL, he is performing excellently for his side Chennai Super Kings (CSK).</p>
<p>However, things will be completely different for him after the league as he might feature in India’s WTC final playing XI against the Aussies. After playing the T20 format for almost two months, he will have to acclimatise to red-ball cricket. After getting dropped from the national side, he remained active in domestic cricket.</p>
<p>In the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy, he captained Mumbai and scored 634 runs in 11 innings of seven matches. Against Hyderabad, he led from the front by slamming an incredible double century. Looking at his current form, it could be said the 34-year-old is looking vibrant and could turn out to be a perfect addition for the crucial meeting against the Aussies in London.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>6. Ravindra Jadeja</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676792984443_Ravindra-Jadeja.jpeg" alt="Ravindra Jadeja" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round services will become important for India to claim a victory against Cummins and his boys. He was one of the top performers for India in the previous Test series against Australia. Scalping 22 wickets in eight innings of four matches, at an average of 18.86, he made a sensational comeback in international cricket, following a long injury layoff.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the upcoming WTC final challenge, his role will be vital for India to get the better of the Aussies. The veteran’s unprecedented all-round capability powers the team in every department of the game. Along with Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara, Jadeja is also familiar with English conditions.</p>
<p>The 34-year-old has played 11 Tests in England, thus far, in which he has trapped 23 batters in 19 innings, with his best figures of 7/258 in a match. Jadeja’s batting record is also incredible on English soil as the stylish India all-rounder has hit 594 runs with a ton and three half-centuries in 21 innings.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>7. KS Bharat</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/2018/08/KS-Bharat.jpg" alt="KS Bharat" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>KS Bharat. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the massive encounter against the Aussies in June, India will miss the services of Rishabh Pant, who holds a fine record on English soil. To fill the 25-year-old’s shoes, selectors have included KS Bharat in the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/social-tracker-cricket/ajinkya-rahane-returns-as-bcci-announces-squad-for-world-test-championship-final-2023/" title="squad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>squad</strong></a>. The Andhra player, who made his international debut in the Nagpur Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23, will be seen standing behind the wickets and strengthening the batting in the middle order.</p>
<p>In four matches played so far, Bharat has scored 101 runs in six innings, with his highest score of 44 against Australia in Ahmedabad. The 29-year-old is definitely a newcomer in the international circuit, but his vast experience in first-class cricket will help him to showcase his best in the high-voltage match.</p>
<p>Prior to the Australia series, he also played in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23. For his team Andhra, he played a couple of decent knocks with his bat in five innings of three contests. Against the quality pace attack of Australia on the rapid surface of the Oval, his assignment will be to bolster India’s batting in the lower middle order.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>8. Shardul Thakur</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/featureimage/Shardul-Thakur-v-South-Africa.jpg" alt="Shardul Thakur v South Africa" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Shardul Thakur v South Africa. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the fast Oval surface, Shardul Thakur might become an important member of India’s pace attack. With his disciplined medium-pace bowling, the 31-year-old possesses the potential to wreck the Aussie batting line-up. Back in 2021, he wreaked havoc on the Australian side in the Brisbane Test.</p>
<p>Bagging 3/94 and 4/61 figures with the ball against the hosts, he played a major role in India’s historic three-wicket triumph. In the match, he also played a salient role with the bat, scoring a match-winning 67 in the first innings. With this all-round performance, he became a notable figure in international cricket.&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, Thakur’s bowling numbers are not so impressive in England as he has added only eight wickets to his profile in six innings of three Tests. With the bat, he has exuded confidence by delivering some fine knocks to the team. In five innings of three Tests played on English soil, the dynamic all-rounder has scored 122 runs with a couple of half-centuries.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>9. Mohammed Shami</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1676633351885_Mohammed-Shami.jpeg" alt="Mohammed Shami." loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Mohammed Shami. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mohammed Shami will spearhead India’s pace attack with his immense experience. At the Oval, his endeavours will be to get help from the track, using his pace. Along with other pacers, he will be expected to deliver early breakthroughs to the team. &nbsp;In a career spanning nearly 10 years, he has emerged as the team’s mainstay pacer in the longest format of the sport.</p>
<p>The speedster has taken 225 wickets in 120 innings of 63 Tests, at an average of 27.48. These numbers ratify his authenticity to leading the bowling unit in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. In current times, he has been consistent with the ball. The veteran played three games in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 and picked up nine wickets in six innings.</p>
<p>In England, the 32-year-old’s record is decent as he has bagged 38 wickets in 23 innings of 13 Tests, at an average of 40.52. However, his numbers are not impressive at the Kennington, Oval. So far, Shami has appeared in only one game at this venue, and in that too, he failed to be impactful. Against Joe Root-led England, he chipped in with only two wickets in a losing cause.&nbsp;</p>
<p></p>
<h3>10. Umesh Yadav</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/1671705941850_Umesh-Yadav.jpeg" alt="Umesh Yadav" loading="lazy">
<figcaption>Umesh Yadav. (Photo Source: MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP via Getty Images)</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the grand WTC final, Umesh Yadav will be the nucleus of the Indian pace attack. The speedster has the ability to thwart the Aussie batters relying on his skills. In his 12-year career, he has claimed 168 wickets in 110 innings of 56 Tests, with his career-best figures of 10/133.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 35-year-old played the role of a wrecker-in-chief in India’s last Test victory against England at the Oval. With 3/76 and 3/60 spells in the match, he took the game home. This time, the team management will expect him to showcase his best in the huge contest and help the team create history at the iconic stadium in London.</p>
<p>The speedster has contested against Australia a lot of times and his previous experience will help him to outclass them. Fetching 51 wickets in 30 innings of 16 Tests against Australia, at an average of 37.58, he is the leading wicket-taker among the pacers selected for India’s WTC 2023 final match.</p>
<p></p>
<h3>11. Mohammed Siraj</h3>
<figure class="image"><img src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Mohammed-Siraj-2.jpg" loading="lazy">
<figcaption></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Mohammed Siraj has performed phenomenally for India in red-ball cricket. Thus far, the medium pacer has dismissed 47 batters in 33 innings of 18 matches at an average of 31.29. The talented pacer will have to bolster the fast-bowling unit of India along with his colleagues Shami and Umesh.</p>
<p>As the final battle will be fought at the iconic Oval, he will get enough support from the pitch. Utlising his seam-bowling skills, he could come heavily on the Aussies in the blockbuster clash. His bowling figures against Australia will also work as a confidence booster for him.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Against the former no 1 Test side, the 29-year-old has hunted 14 batters in 10 innings of six Tests, at an average of 32.64. In January 2021, the pacer grabbed his maiden five-wicket haul against the powerful Australia side in the fourth Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba.&nbsp;</p>

After two months of the Indian Premier League (IPL) action, Indian players will head to England to face Australia in the 2023&nbsp;ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final. The summit clash will be hel

WTC Final India's strongest predicted playing 11

These players might feature in India's playing XI for the summit clash against the Aussies at the Oval, London.

WTC Final 2023: India's strongest predicted XI

IND Playing11 - Check out India's strongest playing XI for the World Test Championship final 2023.