ICC WTC Final: Ravindra Jadeja on the brinks of joining Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble in a list of elite double – Team India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is on the cups of entering a list of elite double in Test cricket ahead of the Wolrd Test Championship final against New Zealand at Southampton starting from June 18. Jadeja, who is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the country is just 46 runs short of completing 2000 Test runs. He would aim to complete it and join Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble in a list of elite double of scoring 2000 runs and take 200 wickets in Test cricket.
Jadeja will be the fifth Indian to achieve this feat. Kapil Dev was the first Indian to claim the record followed by Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and R Ashwin.
Indians with 2000 Test Runs and 200 Test Wickets
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Anil Kumble
- Harbhajan Singh
- R Ashwin.
Fastest cricketer to reach 2000 Test Runs and 200 Test Wickets
- Ian Botham (42)
- Imran Khan (50)
- Kapil Dev (50)
- R Ashwin (51)
If Jadeja achieves the milestone in the WTC final then he will be the fourth fastest on the list.
The World Test Championship final is going to be played at Southampton which is a favourable ground for spinners and thus India will be playing with both Ashwin and Jadeja which will give them depth in the batting and more spin options.
Meanwhile, Team India on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the final against New Zealand. Mohammed Siraj has been included in the squad while Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul have been left out.
It means Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma will be opening the batting for the Virat Kohli-led side. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been chosen as the spinners, while Wriddhiman Saha has also been named in the squad along with Rishabh Pant. The Kiwis have already entered the bio-bubble for the summit clash having defeated England in the two-match Test series.
ICC WTC Final
India’s squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (Vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha.
New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young.