ICC World Test Championship Final: Dinesh Karthik Wants India To Drop Ravichandran Ashwin From Playing XI For WTC Final

Last Update on: June 6th, 2023 at 06:25 pm

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The veteran India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik wants captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid to drop Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI for the upcoming high-octane clash against the Australia National Cricket Team.

In the final of the ICC World Test Championship, which is scheduled to begin on June 7 at the Kennington Oval in London, Rohit Sharma-led India and Pat Cummins-led Australia will go head-to-head in direct competition to determine the second-ever World Test Champions.

Speaking to Cricbuzz ahead of the clash, Dinesh Karthik said that India should play four pacers in the WTC final. He backed Umesh Yadav to be the frontline pacer alongside Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.

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“Leave out Ashwin and play four pacers. I enjoyed Ashwin bowling in Southampton, but – is the coach gonna do the same thing again? I doubt it.”

“Umesh Yadav has bowled well in the nets. He is looking sharp, and feeling good body-wise. I have a strong feeling they’ll go with Umesh,” he said.

The crucial factor is gonna be the toss – Dinesh Karthik

The 38-year-old further compared the Kennington Oval to Eden Gardens and said that the toss will be a crucial factor in the match as the team that wins the toss will have an advantage.

Also Read: ICC World Test Championship Final: “I Want To Win Championships” – Rohit Sharma Speaks On His Mindset Before Big Clash

“Oval as a ground has pitches throughout the square. Generally, on grounds, there will be only six, or seven pitches but in Oval, there are about 20 or 23. I don’t know exactly. Batting paradise. It’s like what Eden Gardens is to India. The outfield is lightning.”

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“The crucial factor is gonna be the toss. Whoever wins the toss will look to bowl first, and on the first day, there’ll be quite a bit for the medium pacers, for the fast bowlers rather. The team that wins the toss will have a distinct advantage in this game,” Dinesh Karthik further said.

The crucial factor is gonna be the toss – Dinesh Karthik

Sonanchal Gautam