(Cricket News) India have a big chance to end their ICC trophy drought next week when they play Australia in the World Test Championship final. Australia will start the game as favorites because they have a fully fit squad while India are missing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. The Australian line-up is pretty much set and picks itself however India have a few tough calls to make ahead of the match. They have to select the bowling conditions according to the conditions which is easier said than done.
The other big conundrum is the choice of the Wicketkeeper. Objectively KS Bharat should be the obvious choice ahead of Ishan Kishan. Bharat was next in line to Rishabh Pant and he played 4 Test matches against Australia. He didn’t score too many runs in that series but neither did the rest of the batters as the conditions were very difficult for batting.
It would be unfair to replace him with Ishan Kishan who hasn’t done anything to get a chance in a Test match. To ask Kishan to make his debut in a final match that too in English conditions will be a massive ask and a big risk. Kishan wouldn’t even have been in the squad if Rahul hadn’t got injured so technically he shouldn’t even be an option.
There are a couple of things that work in Ishan Kishan’s favour. The pitch won’t have a lot of turn so Bharat’s prowess with the gloves is not needed. Kishan isn’t a bad keeper either and can be trusted. India need to fill the massive void left by Rishabh Pant and Kishan is the closest replacement.
Ishan Kishan is an aggressive left-hander who will take on the bowlers while Bharat on the other hand will be a little conservative. Neither of them have played in England before so that factor goes away. The biggest problem is that Ravindra Jadeja is the only left handed batter in the team. So playing Kishan would benefit the team a lot because he is a Southpaw. The decision is a tough call and it could prove to be game-changing.
Also read: India have to make 2 tough calls for the WTC final vs Australia
