'Ishan ko finally IPL me Test knock khelne ka fayda hua'- Twitter reacts as Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad announced among standby players for WTC 2023 Final

WTC Final

The Indian Cricket Board announced the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, scheduled to be held in London from June 7-11. However, the Indian Cricket Board did not reveal the names of the standby players in its media release. A report by TOI claimed that Sarfaraz Khan, Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar, and Navdeep Saini are the standby players for the WTC final. Sarfaraz and Gaikwad are specialist batters, Saini and Kumar are pace-bowling options, while Kishan is a wicketkeeper-batter.

The Indian squad also sees the inclusion of Ajinkya Rahane, who has been in stunning form for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing IPL season. The veteran batter was included in the squad due to Shreyas Iyer's injury. Inputs from CSK skipper MS Dhoni were also taken by the Indian team management and selection committee before recalling Rahane to the Test side. The squad also features the seam-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur and KS Bharat, who continues to be the designated wicketkeeper in the absence of injured Rishabh Pant.

The Indian team may play a multi-day warm-up match before the WTC final, and players not featuring in the IPL playoffs will depart for the UK in advance. The WTC final will be led by Rohit Sharma.

Interestingly, KL Rahul, who was dropped from the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia earlier this year, did not make it to the squad. Meanwhile, the report mentioned that the Indian team is likely to face a tough call in choosing between R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja for the WTC final, with only one of them expected to make it to the playing XI.

India's Squad for WTC Final:

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KL Rahul, KS Bharat (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

The WTC final will be an exciting contest between two of the best Test teams in the world, with the winners crowned as the first-ever World Test champions. With the Indian squad packed with experienced and talented players, fans are eagerly waiting to witness a thrilling contest between the two cricketing giants.

Here's how Twitter reacted to India's standby line-up for the WTC 2023 Final: 

Ruturaj and Kishan pic.twitter.com/aNirUqTC0U

— No One Knowz ❁ (@NoOne_Knowz) April 27, 2023

Ruturaj frauding his way to test backup on the basis of IPL when Rinku Singh is working day and night in Ranji trophy, this team is finished 😭😭😭

— Amaan🏏📈 (@devilscricket) April 27, 2023

Rohit Sharma be like pic.twitter.com/d18FeiHuiL

— भारतीय 🅂🄾🅄🄽ᴿᵒ 🇮🇳 (@Mr_Exotic__) April 27, 2023

So Easwaran and Panchal who deserves place in Test team, robbed by Ruturaj??

— Swap (@swap_das) April 27, 2023

Finally Ishan kishan ko itni test knocks khelne ka fayda hua

— Jude 🇳🇬 (@ja3kohli) April 27, 2023

Why does Saini get privilege all the time without any noticeable performance!!!

Any tall baller who can hit 140+ is a default selection in the Indian team ???

— Animesh Pateriya (@An1mEsH) April 27, 2023

Good to see Sarfaraz Khan name in the list
Good for him that he is in the consideration of test team

— Take My Note (@Cricpoints1) April 27, 2023

Maybe they selected ishan after watching his iconic test knock against gt

— Nihal Nagekar (@nihaln45) April 27, 2023

Ishan still in line and Sanju is not... Kya selection hain 🤣🤣🤣👏

— ColtKshatriya (@KshatriyaColt) April 27, 2023

All are frauds

— NC. (@NaeemCaption) April 27, 2023

Honestly jaiswal deserve better
He has been excellent in test

— Rahul (@kio659) April 27, 2023

What has Tukuraj Gaikwad done to be standby player for WTC Final

Abhimanyu Easwaran & Jaiswal >>> Tukuraj Gaikwad in Test Cricket

— Virarsh (@Cheeku218) April 27, 2023