ICC WTC Final 2023: Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for India vs Australia
Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins to lead as we look at the strongest predicted playing 11 for India vs Australia WTC Final 2023.
We are left with just over a month for one of the most-awaited matches of the year, the World Test Championship Final 2023. Two years of the competitive tournament sees Team India and Australia battling it out for one last time at The Oval, England from June 7 to June 11, 2023.
This is the first time India would be facing Australia at a neutral venue in a Test match. Historically, India have faced Australia 106 times in Test Matches. While India have won 32 times, Australia have won 44 times. Whereas in the last 10 years, India have won 8 times and Australia have won 6 times.
Meanwhile, both teams have officially announced their squad for the WTC Final 2023. India have selected a 15-member squad, and the final playing 11 will be selected from these 15. Whereas Australia have shortlisted 17 players for the marquee event, but from these 17, only 15 will travel to England.
So, as we wait for the match to begin, how about we analyze the squad of both teams, and find out the strongest predicted playing 11 for India vs Australia WTC Final 2023? Before that, let’s look at the complete match details and the official squad for both teams.
Match Details:
Tournament: World Test Championship 21-23
Type: WTC Final’23
Where: Oval, England
When: June 7-11, 2023
WTC Final 2023: Official Squad for Team India
Batters: Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma [c], Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav & Virat Kohli
Wks: KS Bharat
All-rounders: Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja
Bowlers: Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur & Umesh Yadav
Team India’s Predicted Playing 11
The playing 11 selection for Team India will be an interesting one as there are 3-4 open spots which seem debatable. Just to stand with the current situation, India would be without 3 of their first-choice players for the WTC Final, viz., Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant, Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, and Pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
With India playing in England in a pace-friendly environment and these three players not available, it would be an interesting choice of players that India would look up to. Of the available options that we have, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj are sure shot selections.
Alternative for Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant
With India without Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, India would have to select two from Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, and KS Bharat. Of the three, India can opt for any two and the debate would be there for any choice of players. However, of the three, Ajinya Rahane and KL Rahul look like the strongest options.
Ajinkya Rahane has been added to the WTC Final owing to his current Ranji and IPL form. With an abundance of experience under his belt, it is obvious India are looking at him as the alternative for Iyer. Whereas for the wicket-keeper slot, it is the choice for a better batter vs a better wicket-keeper. With the match in England, KL Rahul would not find much difficulty while keeping, hence his selection as the WK Batter seems stronger.
Choice for Bowlers
The other headache for the India team would be whether to go with 4 pacers + 1 spinner combination or to go with 3 pacers + 2 spinners combination. This would be the most difficult choice for the Indian team, and there is no straightforward answer for the type of combination India may choose.
Ideally, the Oval pitch assists pace more, and India may not want to waste a spot for an additional spinner. So, between Ash and Jaddu, Jaddu adds more value as a batter and spinner. Whereas for the pacers, the choice would be between Shardul and Unadkat. While Shardul is a better lower-order batter, Unadkat isn’t bad either. However, with Jaydev being the only left-arm pacer, he may add more value as the pacer.
WTC Final 2023: Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for Team India
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jaydev Unadkat, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami & Mohammed Siraj
WTC Final 2023: Official Squad for Australia
Batters: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Matthew Harris, Steve Smith, Travis Head & Usman Khawaja
Wks: Alex Carey & Josh Inglis
All-rounders: Cameron Green & Mitchell Marsh
Bowlers: Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins [c], Scott Boland, Todd Murphy
Australia’s Predicted Playing 11
Coming to Australia’s playing 11, there isn’t much to debate except for the choice of wicket-keeper and all-rounder. Australia’s headache would lie in selecting one between Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green vs one between Alex Carey and Josh Inglis. However, from the choice perspective, Cameron Green and Alex Carey seem stronger options.
Other than these two choice options, Australia should see David Warner and Usman Khawaja opening. Whereas Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head shall follow them. Whereas Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood shall be the 3 pacers with Nathan Lyon being the lone spinner.
WTC Final 2023: Strongest Predicted Playing 11 for Australia
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon & Josh Hazlewood
Thanks for reading! What’s your playing 11 for India vs Australia WTC Final 2023? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com
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Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics with over 20 years of experience following Cricket.
Cricket to him is like what Football is to Lionel Messi, Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar, Dancing is to Michael Jackson, and Acting is to Clint Eastwood.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
