Spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have both been named in India's 15-man squad for the inaugural World Test Championship final against New Zealand, which begins in Southampton on Friday night.
Ravi Ashwin Photo: Photosport
Jadeja, along with Mohammed Shami, Hanuma Vihari and Umesh Yadav, all of whom sustained injuries during the tour of Australia in December and January, return to India's test squad after missing the home series against England earlier this year.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel, who starred in the 3-1 test series win against England, and batsman KL Rahul, who underwent surgery for appendicitis in May, missed the cut, after being named in the preliminary 20-man squad.
Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Mayank Agarwal were also left out.
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been picked as openers.
In the fast bowling department, India have picked Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav, with Thakur missing out.
Yesterday, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and wicketkeeper BJ Watling were declared fit to play the final after the pair missed the eight-wicket victory over England at Edgbaston due to injuries.
The WTC was launched in 2019 to create a pinnacle event for five-day international cricket, following the successes of the Twenty20 and 50-over world cups.
Australia and England were in the race before India and New Zealand pulled ahead to grab the top two spots in the final.
️ #TeamIndia announce their 15-member squad for the #WTC21 Final pic.twitter.com/ts9fK3j89t
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 15, 2021
The championship decider will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.
