WTC FINAL: 5 INDIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
5
RAVINDRA JADEJA
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The rise of Ravindra Jadeja as a genuine all-rounder in Test cricket has been meteoric to say the least. The all-rounder has been a crucial part of the spin duo with Ravichandran Ashwin in home conditions.
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However, away from home, his batting has improved in leaps and bounds over the past couple of years. Jadeja is closing in on 2000 Test runs for India, having played 51 games and has a pretty healthy average of 36.18.
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In fact, Jadeja's ability to bat gives India more options. The side can have a balance through which they can afford to play both him and Ashwin along with three other quicks, making it five bowling options.
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He also averages a brilliant 47.20 against New Zealand with the bat, something which will give him confidence ahead of the WTC final. Given his match-winning ability he could be a big plus for India.
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4
JASPRIT BUMRAH
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Without doubt Jasprit Bumrah has grown into one of the best bowlers in the world across all three formats. His pace, accuracy and unorthodox action make him one of the most difficult pacers to face.
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In just 19 Tests, Bumrah has an incredible 83 wickets at an outstanding average of 22.10. The Indian pace spearhead has played just 2 Tests against New Zealand, and has 6 wickets to his name at present.
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He has also played 3 games in England, where he has picked 14 wickets, including a fifer. Bumrah came of age in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he was the leader of the Indian pace attack.
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Bumrah led India’s bowling attack in first 3 Tests in the absence of Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. With the deadly trio likely to reunite for the WTC final, India will surely have their hopes high.
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3
VIRAT KOHLI
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Arguably one of the finest batsmen across all 3 formats to ever play the game, Virat Kohli will be one of India's biggest hopes in the WTC final. The Indian skipper has been going through a lean patch off late.
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Kohli scored his last international hundred in India's historic pink-ball Test against Bangladesh in November 2019. Ever since, the 32-year-old batsman hasn't looked flawless in most of his international innings.
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The Indian captain also had his fair share of struggles against the swinging ball in England earlier in his career. However, he did bounce back strongly in India's last tour, slamming a couple of centuries.
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After averaging 53.27 in Tests, Kohli will be focused and determined to lead by example when India take on the Kiwis in the WTC final. Considering his own lofty standards, Kohli would be keen to prove a point.
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2
ROHIT SHARMA
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Rohit Sharma has been one of the most improved batsmen in the Indian Test team over the past couple of years. Rohit eventually found a way to replicate his success in white-ball cricket to Tests.
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Things changed for Rohit in 2019 when he was asked to open the innings in India’s home series against South Africa and Bangladesh. In 5 Tests, Rohit made 556 runs, including 2 centuries and a double ton.
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Rohit once again silenced critics by playing well as an opener in overseas conditions. He scored a couple of half-centuries in four innings Down Under earlier this year, helping India to a historic series win.
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Many believe that playing a quality seam attack like New Zealand in English conditions will be Rohit's biggest test. However, Rohit has all the talent to prove that he can be a big success in England.
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1
RISHABH PANT
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Rishabh Pant's rise over the past year has been nothing short of astonishing and he is now India's X-factor in the WTC final. The 23-year-old came of age in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
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His multiple match-defining knocks helped India become the first team to hand the Aussies back-to-back series defeats in their own backyard. Pant has had a superb 2021 with the bat so far.
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In just 6 Tests, the southpaw has scored 515 runs at an outstanding average of 64.37. Another huge positive for India is that Pant's wicketkeeping has improved exponentially in the last few months.
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Pant’s batting ability gives India the luxury of playing with an extra bowler. The youngster also has a Test hundred in English conditions and he could well be the main man for India in this epic finale.
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