5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched In The ICC WTC Final 2021

India is all set to face New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. The ICC WTC final 2021 will be played in England and start on June 18. The Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in Southampton, London is set to host the much-awaited match. India and New Zealand qualified for the final after competing with 7 other teams in the tournament.

ICC World Test Championship started in 2019 and 9 teams were part of the tournament. These teams played multiple bilateral Test series during the tournament and were ranked according to their performances. After the completion of all the Test series, India topped the points table and New Zealand bagged the 2^nd spot. As a result, both teams secured a berth in the WTC final.

BCCI has already announced the 20-men squad for ICC World Test Championship along with 5 standby players. Among the batsmen, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, and Hanuma Vihari has made it to the squad. For wicketkeepers, Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha are the two choices.

All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar are also part of the squad. For bowlers, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav are among the selected players.

However, only 11 players will play against New Zealand in the final match and many will be benched. Here we look at 5 Indian players who might be benched in the ICC WTC final against New Zealand.

5 Indian Players Who Might Be Benched In The ICC WTC Final 2021

Hanuma Vihari

If we take a look at Hanuma Vihari’s performance in the last few Tests, he has shown poor form. He played three Test matches against Australia and accounted for scores of 16, 8, 21, 4, and 23*. Later, he did not play against England as he was injured. Hanuma Vihari only plays for Indian team in the Test format so the team has a lot of expectations from the right-handed batsman.

His absence from England series and poor show in Australia series might become a reason to bench him for the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel recently made his Test debut against England and he was fabulous with his spin attack. Patel scalped 27 wickets in three Tests he played. However, Axar Patel might be benched against New Zealand in WTC final as he has very little Test experience. He was brilliant against England but the series happened on Indian soil where spinners get a lot of support.

On the other hand, the WTC final is scheduled to be played in England where spinners do not get great support. Moreover, the team might choose Ravichandran Ashwin as their lone spinner and Axar Patel might be benched in the match.

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar made his Test debut during the Test series against Australia. Sundar was part of the 4th India vs Australia Test and he scored crucial 62 runs in the match. Later, Sundar also played against England in three Test matches and scored two important knocks of unbeaten 85 and 96 runs.

However, Sundar was not very good with bowling as he picked only 2 wickets against England. Ravindra Jadeja might make it to the playing XI for the all-rounder’s slot. Therefore, Sundar might be benched during India vs New Zealand World Test Championship final.

Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav’s performance has dropped in Test cricket over time. The right-arm pacer Yadav was part of the Australia series last year. After he took only 3 and 1 wicket in the 1st and 2nd Test respectively, he was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Later, Yadav was not picked for the Test series against England.

Umesh Yadav is part of Indian squad for WTC final against New Zealand but with the presence of pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj, Yadav might not be considered for the final playing XI. So Umesh Yadav is another player who might be benched in the WTC final.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has come to the limelight on the international stage but the right-arm pacer has very little experience in Tests. Shardul Thakur has played only two Tests in his career so far. He made his Test debut in 2018 against West Indies and remained wicketless in the match. Later, he was picked for the 4th Test against Australia in which he took 7 wickets.

However, Thakur did not play against England in the 4-match Test series. With his little experience in Test cricket, Shardul Thakur might also be benched during the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand.