Monty Panesar picks India’s XI for the WTC final; selects both Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja

Former England cricketer Monty Panesar picked both Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in India’s probable eleven for the World Test Championship against New Zealand from June 18. At the Rose Bowl in Southampton where the conditions are most likely to assist the fast bowlers, Panesar said that it’s a “must” that Virat Kohli and Co opt for both Ashwin and Jadeja.

Panesar, who played 50 Tests, 26 ODIs, and one T20I for the Brits from 2006 to 2013, mentioned that Ashwin and Jadeja, bowling in tandem, can give oppositions headaches. Panesar also called them among the very best among the current generation of cricketers.

“India must play both Jadeja and Ashwin. There is no one better than these two at present in the world. They bowl in partnership, understand each other’s game, and overall they are street-smart cricketers,” Panesar was quoted as saying in India Today.

In his other picks, Panesar went for Shubman Gill over Mayank Agarwal as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner for the WTC final. The veteran only picked three specialist fast bowlers in the form of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami.

Here’s Monty Panesar’s XI:

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami

Earlier, Panesar also backed India to win the Test series against India 5-0. The retired spinner felt that the conditions in England may go in the visiting team’s favour.

“Will it seam in August? It tends to spin at that time of the year… 5 test matches are in August where we will expect warmer conditions. Indian spinners will come into the game, India have a chance [to win] 5-0,” Panesar wrote in one of his tweets.

India’s Test series against India starts on Wednesday, August 4 with the opening game at The Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The Lord’s, Headingley, Kennington Oval, and Old Trafford are the venues for the other four matches.

Back in February-March, India beat England 3-1 at home after losing the opening Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It remains to be seen if Joe Root and Co can make amends or not.