Former India speedster Ashish Nehra predicts India’s bowling lineup for WTC final

Team India legend and current commentator Ashish Nehra predicts the ideal India bowling lineup against New Zealand in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship final. The final match is scheduled for 18^th June 2021 at Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

Ahead of the marquee event,  India will have a selection headache to choose their ideal Playing X1 against Kiwis.

Nehra added that the final match between both teams will be a battle among the bowlers and the one who absorbs the pressure really well will emerge as the winner.

Nehra lavished praise on Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami saying that the two-seamers can weave their magic on flatter pitches too.

“Of course, both India and New Zealand have very good fast bowlers. But if you look at our bowlers, (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami can bowl well even on flatter decks.

“New Zealand’s attack, meanwhile, has Trent Boult and Neil Wagner. Boult is a class bowler, while Wagner too is experienced. However, I am not sure how effective will Tim Southee be where there is not enough swing on offer. Kyle Jamieson is a good prospect, but he does need a little more experience,” Nehra told The Telegraph.

Nehra said that usually the pitches in England support fast bowlers but also opined by the fact that India should include two spinners in their lineup. However they can go for  four fast bowler in that case Shiraj will be ideal player along with the likes of Sharma, Shami and Bumrah.

“If you come across a green top, then you certainly can think of including an extra pacer, which I feel should be Mohammed Siraj given how well he has been bowling. But otherwise, I think the bowling attack should be Ishant, Bumrah and Shami as the three fast bowlers, with (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja as the spinners. If Jadeja and Ashwin are in the XI, the team will have all bases covered in terms of bowling,” Nehra explained.