WTC Final: VVS Laxman picks Jadeja at seven and Ashwin at eight in his playing XI against New Zealand

WTC Final: VVS Laxman picks Jadeja at seven and Ashwin at eight in his playing XI against New Zealand

VVS Laxman and Ravi Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja

Former India batsman VVS Laxman picked his playing XI ahead of the all-important ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final match. The veteran cricketer placed Ravindra Jadeja at number seven while Ravi Ashwin at eight in his team.

The 46-year-old alongside Ian Bishop and Shane Bond, addressed a press conference organised by the official broadcaster of the WTC Final, Star Sports Network. VVS Laxman picked Jadeja owing to his improved batting skills in recent years. During the e-event, Laxman said:

“I would go with five batsmen, Rishabh as the wicket-keeper batsman at number six, and I’ve got a lot of belief in Jadeja at number seven and Ashwin at number eight. Jadeja is a more than capable batsman who can now play match-winning knocks under pressure. So, I would back Jadeja to bat at number seven.”

‘India is fortunate to have a player like Mayank Agarwal on the bench’: Laxman

Mayank Agarwal
Mayank Agarwal

The cricketer-turned-commentator also leapt praises young promising opener Shubman Gill, especially for his performance during the Gabba Test Down Under. VVS Laxman named Gill alongside Rohit Sharma to open the innings for team India in the much-anticipated clash.

“Shubman Gill is a wonderful talent. He has shown what he is capable of doing under pressure in the Brisbane Test match against Australia. So, I would back Shubman Gill. Also, in the intrasquad match, he got an 80+ score so he is in a good rhythm. I would still back Shubman Gill to open with Rohit Sharma,” said Laxman.

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The Hyderabad cricketer also felt bad for Mayank Agarwal who couldn’t find a spot in the 15-member squad announced by the Virat Kohli-led side.

“India is fortunate to have a player like Mayank Agarwal on the bench. He also has done well in Test match cricket. But at the moment, I would back Shubman Gill to open with Rohit in this match,” added VVS Laxman.

India 15-member squad for WTC Final: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane (VC), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

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