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5 Indian players who may miss out in the (WTC) final
Axar might be a surprising omission for WTC final
Team India acquired a memorable victory against England in the fourth Test of the 4-Test series by an innings and 25 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium, securing a convincing 3-1 victory in the series. The victory steered India to the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, to be held from 18th to 22nd June at Lords where they will be playing against New Zealand.
The Test series England Tour of India had a lot of excitement and adventures where Team India was seen exploring their bench strength and discovered the players who possess the ability to place themselves in the international circuit of the game.
But at the same time, the emergence of potential youngsters sometimes puts the management in confusion before selecting the playing eleven. Such a situation may arise before the BCCI selectors sit together to choose the final squad for the World Test Championship final. Chances are there where some of the popular Indian cricketers may miss the World Test Championship final.
Hardik Pandya
The swashbuckling Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has emerged as one of the match-winners in recent times. Especially, in the limited-over game, Hardik has been extremely dependable for the team with his willow as well as effective bowling and agile fielding. Hardik has gathered 532 runs and scalped 17wickets since his debut in Test in 2017. But he has not played in Test since 2018. Although the selectors are in search of an all-rounder in the lower position, Hardik has not yet been able to draw their attention due to his recent incessant injuries and it seems difficult for him to become completely fit before the Test Championship final that will commence on 18th June. So Hardik can be one of the 5 Indian players who may miss out in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
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Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur, the right-arm pacer also delivered a highly-impressive performance in his last Test for India he played against Australia at Gabba, Brisbane. Shardul who made his debut in the Test against West Indies ended with 7 wickets in the Test against Australia. He also unleashed a blistering knock of 67 with the bat in India’s first innings and made a crucial partnership with Washington Sundar to rescue India from the collapse. Still, his chances of getting into the squad for the WTC final looks doubtful as Ishant, Bumrah, and Shami are already there as frontline pacers with the back-up of Siraj and Umesh Yadav.
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Axar Patel
Axar Patel, the left-arm orthodox spinner had a fairytale show against England in the recently concluded series where the Gujarat spinner, having claimed 27 wickets in the 3 Test he had participated. Still, his chance of boarding the flight for the WTC (World Test Championship) final seems uncertain. The key reason is that the return of Ravindra Jadeja who had to miss the Test series against England due to injury. Jadeja is not only an effective left-arm orthodox spinner but also a useful batsman who had given tremendous assistance to Ajinkya Rahane against Australia in the second test there on their soil. So he might be another among the 5 Indian players who may miss out in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
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Washington Sundar
The left-hand batsman and right-arm off-spinner also like Shardul Thakur have hogged the limelight after India’s recent historic Test series win against Australia on their soil. Sundar, making his debut in the fourth Test against Australia had an impressive show both with bat and ball. He picked up four wickets and scored 62 in the first innings and 22 in the second. Even against England at home, Sundar exhibited a superb show with the bat, scoring a splendid unbeaten 96 along with Rishabh Pant to steer India to the desired victory. Still, the all-rounder might miss the WTC final due to Ashwin and Jadeja in the team’s spinning line-up.
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Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Bhuvneshwar Kumar might be also among the 5 Indian players who may miss out in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Meerut-based right-arm pacer was indispensable still a few years ago, especially in Tests due to his ability to execute accurate swing and variation. Since his Test debut in 2013 against Australia, the 31-year old has claimed 63 wickets in 21 Tests he has played. But Bhuvneshwar has been out of the playing eleven since 2018 and now with Bumrah, Shami, Ishant, Umesh, and Siraj in the front, Kumar will have difficulty finding a place in the team for the WTC final especially.
