Five bowlers who can trouble Indian batsmen in the World Test Championship

In the light of the constant focus on formulating cricketing leagues to endorse the shortest format of the game, Test cricket was beginning to fade away. The idea of the World Test Championship to market the most ancient form of the game was proposed several years back only to endure failure due to several reasons. It suffered another two cancelled attempts to keep the inaugural competition in the year 2013 and 2017.

Finally, the league for the longest form of the sport took its birth after the ICC revisited the idea. The ICC World Test Championship would be contested over two-year cycles, the first of which began in August 2019. The start of the “Test World Cup” adds context to all the series within the Championship.

Hence, the stakes are at a high for all the teams. Among every team partaking in the competition, India have stood head and shoulders above the rest. Virat Kohli‘s men have consolidated the top spot for now in the points table with 360 points to their name.

However, their batters will face their real test when they travel to New Zealand next year. Their bowling attack has been shaping well in overseas conditions; however, their batsmen are yet to prove themselves in highly seaming tracks. Their batters are also yet to face more quality bowling and fielding units at home.

Over the course of World Test Championship, here are the bowlers who could trouble the Indian batsmen:

Trent Boult

Over the past few years, Trent Boult rapidly established himself as an irreplaceable player in all the formats of the game. Along with Tim Southee, the left-arm quick has become one of the best new-ball bowling pairs in Test matches. When the 30-year old is on a song, there hardly maybe any other sight fans would like to see.

Boult’s ability to bowl equally well with the new as well as the old ball cites him as the most threatening prospect. Not only in the home but Boult has done reasonably well in the sub-continent conditions too. Given the upcoming series against India is in New Zealand, the speedster can be expected to reign supremacy in familiar pitches.

The 30-year old had claimed ten wickets in two games against India in New Zealand the previous time. Trent Boult, along with Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, will unquestionably trouble their batters who are susceptible to sharp inswingers.