Veteran batter makes comeback as India announce squad for WTC final against Australia

Indian Test Team (Source: Twitter)

The Indian Cricket Board announced a 15-member squad for the World Test Championship final on Tuesday, April 25. Rohit Sharma-led India will lock horns against Australia from June 7 at the Oval in London. To everyone's surprise, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has found a place in the squad for the marquee event after his impressive performances in domestic cricket and the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

While all-rounder Shardul Thakur was also picked, the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav could not impress the selection committee enough to be included in the squad.

Since Rishabh Pant has not yet fully recovered from the injuries he incurred in the vehicle accident, KS Bharat has been named as the first wicketkeeper. India will also miss the services of Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. India's star right-arm pacer and middle-order batter have been sidelined from competitive cricket as they continue to recover from back injuries.

Shubman Gill will continue to open alongside Rohit, while KL Rahul, the former vice-captain of the Indian Test team, will play in the middle order. Left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat impressed the selection committee enough to be included in the pace attack that already includes Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav.

India's Test Squad for WTC Final

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

Earlier this month, Australia also announced their squad for the much-awaited clash. David Warner has received backing from Cricket Australia, and Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Harris have been re-inducted into the Test squad. Meanwhile, Peter Handscomb has been left out despite an impressive India tour recently in the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia's Test Squad for WTC Final

Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vice-captain), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.