WTC 2021 Final: India Might Still Alter Their Playing XI If Needed Reckons Dale Steyn

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has opined that India still has the possibility to bring in an extra seamer to the side despite announcing the playing XI early. The first day of the World Test Championship final did no go as planned and the whole day had to be washed out after continuous rain.

After all the wait for the big final, it took an anti-climax and the Southampton rain gods have been very harsh on the players. As of now, if the game ends in a draw, the trophy will be shared which might not be the result that both the teams would want. New Zealand hasn’t yet announced their playing XI for the final while India has done it already.

“They Only Have To Hand In The Team Sheet At The Toss” – Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn expressed his liking over team India’s brave decision to reveal the playing XI a day prior to the start of the test and he also mentioned that India can still make a change in their playing XI if they want it desperately for the conditions and he opined that probably, India might consider bringing in an extra seamer.

“I like what they (Team India) have done. They have come out and told the world, the team that they are going to go with. But they only have to hand in the team sheet at the toss so if they want to change their team and bring in an extra seamer, they are more than welcome to do that. They probably might even do that,” Dale Steyn said in an interview with ESPN Cricinfo.

Dale Steyn Views On The Preparation By Team India

Dale Steyn was very clear that team India has announced the playing XI early with their plans for winning the Test being ready and he further added that India would have already worked about the preparation for the final.

“It gives the players the opportunity to prepare and lets the opposition know that this team is ready. They have worked out how they are going to go about winning this Test match and they are putting it all out there.”

Dale Steyn holds the record for being at the number one spot in ICC Test rankings for bowlers for the most days.