VVS Laxman Picks India's Bowling Combination For WTC Final, Excludes Mohammed Siraj For Experienced Ishant Sharma

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has named his 5-man bowling attack which should be fielded against New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, starting Friday in Southampton.

Laxman has gone with the senior pace-bowling troika of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Shami should leaving out Mohammed Siraj.

He says that despite Siraj’s brilliant start in international Test cricket – he was India’s leading wicket-taker on the Australia tour, including a five-for in Brisbane, and was again impressive in the home series against England – Ishant Sharma, who played his 100th Test in the England series, should be given the nod.

“I would go with Ishant, Shami, and Bumrah as my three pacers in the WTC final,” VVS Laxman told India Today on eSalaamCricket.

“I feel Siraj is confident after the way he performed against Australia and also against England. But the way Ishant has contributed over the years to Indian cricket is unbelievable. What we want in the all-important final is a lot of experience, and the way Ishant has given the solidity to the Indian bowling line-up has been exceptional,” he added.

I will go with both Jadeja and Ashwin in the final: VVS Laxman

Other than the three seamers, Laxman wishes to see both spinner-bowling all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the final as part of the bowling attack.

The 46-year-old reckons that Indian cricket is fortunate to have both the spinners at the same time at the peak of their powers. He asserts that not only both of them are world-class spinners, but also provide the batting cushion to the side.

“I will go with both Jadeja and Ashwin in the final. It is a blessing for India that these two are playing in the same generation. They not only take wickets but also score handy runs down the order, which will be very crucial in the English condition,” the former batsman concluded.

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