India Squad for WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane returns as BCCI announces 15-member squad

Although Ajinkya Rahane has been included in India’s squad for the WTC Final, it will be interesting to see where he bats.


India Squad for WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane returns as BCCI announces 15-member squad

Ajinkya Rahane’s exploits with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023 has paid dividends for the veteran batter as the former India vice-captain in Tests has been included in the squad for World Test Championship Final. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member squad for the summit clash against Australia, slated to be played in June this year.

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Rohit Sharma has been named as the captain of the side while the BCCI has not decided on Rohit’s deputy yet. Shubman Gill has found a place in the 15-man squad with KL Rahul also included. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli will also feature for India in the WTC Final. Meanwhile, KS Bharat will be the designated wicketkeeper for India.

All three of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel have been included in the squad but at least one of them will surely miss out on the playing XI. Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur will be the lone pace-bowling all-rounder for India.

Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jaydev Unadkat, and Umesh Yadav have been picked as specialist pacers while there are no signs of Jasprit Bumrah yet. Shreyas Iyer too has missed out and hence Rahane has been included.

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Related: Australia WTC Final Squad: Mitchell Marsh returns as Australia announces 17-man squad for WTC Final and Ashes

India’s Squad for WTC Final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

Notably, the World Test Championship Final will be played from 7 to 11 June at The Oval in London. 12 June has been kept as a reserve day in case rain plays a spoilsport.

Where does Ajinkya Rahane bat?

ajinkya rahane wtc final

Although Ajinkya Rahane has been included in India’s squad for the WTC Final, it will be interesting to see where he bats. In all likelihood, Rahane will take Shreyas Iyer’s place in the playing XI and hence will bat in the middle order, at No.5. However, if the team management decides to play both KL Rahul and Shubman Gill, Rahane may very well miss out.

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