India-Australia Combined XI: Former cricketer Ravi Shastri unveiled his finest all-around XI ahead of the keenly awaited ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 Final between India and Australia. It’s interesting to note that, prior to the summit match, just four Indian cricketers make it onto his list of combined players.
The two ferocious rivals will face off in a One-Off Test for the coveted mace on June 7 at the Oval in London, which will serve as the site of the pivotal red-ball summit match. Former India cricketer and head coach Shastri selected seven Australians, but only four Indians when asked to identify his best XI of players from both countries.
“Rohit is far more experienced than Pat, so I would make him the captain. Since it’s Pat Cummins and Rohit Sharma, Rohit wins it,” Shastri was reported as saying by the ICC. If Steve Smith had been the captain of Australia, then perhaps it would have been a different tale.
“Usman Khawaja and Shubman Gill are in a close race. Usman Khawaja is a fantastic player, but Shubman is the up-and-coming young star, and I believe he deserves a spot in the top three based solely on his current form and recent run totals,” he added.
Three quick bowlers and two spinners provide greater balance: Shastri
Shastri went on to say that Ben Stokes’s fitness concerns were the reason he would choose Ravindra Jadeja over him. In addition, he would choose a combined XI that had two spinners and three pacers.
“Marnus (Labuschagne) has been terrific in Test match cricket, so number three is a no-brainer. Smith at five for his years of work and the calibre he brings to the table, and Kohli at four for what he has accomplished over the years. Jadeja fills in at number six and greatly balances that side since Ben Stokes has had issues with his fitness,” according to Shastri.
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