ICC WTC 2021 Final: R Sridhar Dismisses Suggestions Of India Altering Their Playing 11

Indian fielding coach R Sridhar has shrugged off calls regarding the changes in the playing 11 that the team management could make given the current conditions in Southampton.

The first day of the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand has been called off due to persistent rain in Southampton.

India had already announced their playing 11 consisting of three seamers and two spinners on the eve of the WTC final.

But with the conditions in Southampton likely to assist seam and swing thanks to the persistent rain, there have been suggestions that India may look to alter their playing 11, possibly dropping one of the spinners.

However, R Sridhar, during the post-day presser, dismissed the suggestions as he said that the eleven that has been picked is the eleven that can thrive irrespective of the conditions on offer.

“I was expecting this to be the first question. The eleven that has been announced is eleven that takes conditions out of equation. ‘I think it’s the eleven which can play and perform on any given surface and any given weather conditions. This eleven that has been put in park. If need be, a decision will be taken.’ The first day’s play being abandoned means that if required, four hours of play will be possible on the sixth day which is reserved for a result,” said R. Sridhr during the media interaction.

‘It’s trial and refinement with experience that ICC has got in organizing matches and they know what it is about. And we all know how the English weather is,’ Sridhar said.

Meanwhile, weather permitting, the second day of the WTC final will see 98 overs of play to make up for the play lost on the first day. The game will start at 10:30 AM local time.

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