WTC Final: It would have been better if India included a fast bowling all-rounder – Amit Mishra on playing XI

India’s veteran spinner Amit Mishra reckons that it would have been better if the team had included a fast bowling all-rounder in their playing XI for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. India picked their final XI on Thursday as they backed both Ashwin and Jadeja in their playing XI.

In fact, Team India has the freedom to alter their combination before the toss as the opening day’s play was completely washed out due to rain. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who is India’s first choice seam bowling all-rounder was not picked for the England tour and the WTC final as he is yet to achieve full fitness for bowling his quota of overs.

On the other hand, Shardul Thakur was the other option India had for the fast bowling all-rounder but he was not even picked in the final 15-man squad. Thakur had done a magnificent job in the historic Gabba Test match as he had scalped seven wickets and also scored 67 runs in the first innings. Thus, he had played a key role in India’s memorable win in final Test against Australia.

Amit Mishra said while talking to J&K news, “The playing XI looks great. We have Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, two excellent spinners who can also contribute with the bat. Ashwin and Jadeja’s batting skills will help India a lot.”

“I think India could have named a fast-bowling all-rounder in the playing XI, someone who could have bowled six-seven overs when the regular pacers are tired and the ball is swinging.

“I think it would have been better if India included a fast-bowling all-rounder. New Zealand have a fast-bowling all-rounder in their squad, so this is the one advantage that the Blackcaps have.”

Mishra is right on point as a seam-bowling all-rounder can be a asset in English conditions. Thus, it will be interesting to note India’s final combination as their fielding coach R Sridhar has also hinted that India could make a change to their playing XI depending on the conditions.