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Cricket Players'Led Indian attack when the big boys weren’t there, he has to be rewarded': Brad Hogg names India's attack for WTC final
Former Australia leg-spinner Brad Hogg picked India's bowling attack for the WTC final against New Zealand based on possible conditions.
The anticipation surrounding the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final between Virat Kohli's India and Kane Williamson-led New Zealand continues to grow at a meteoric rate. Numerous conversations include discussions on the Indian bowling attack in particular as experts and cricketers try to solve the conundrum of whether Kohli needs to play four seamers or three pacers with two spinners. The latest person to jump on the bandwagon is former Australia spinner Brad Hogg.
While discussing India's bowling attack on his YouTube channel, Hogg reasoned that India should go with four seamers in case conditions are overcast in Southampton.
“The balance of the bowling attack for India that I would see playing in this World Test Championship final will be in overcast conditions, that’s the weather report. I would have four quicks and one spinner. I would go with Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj instead of Shardul Thakur. I would have Ravindra Jadeja as the fifth bowling option because you need that extra batting on that day in the Indian batting line-up,” Brad Hogg claimed.
Pundits have also brought in Shardul Thakur into their discussion while deciding between him and Mohammed Siraj. Addressing the topic, Hogg preferred the latter as he feels Thakur may not be fit enough to bowl long spells.
“I don’t think Shardul Thakur would be fit enough if he has to bowl long spells to get through the five days. I just think Siraj has got a better engine. Plus Siraj has led the Indian attack when the big boys weren’t there, and I think he has to be rewarded,” Brad Hogg explained.
Former left-arm spinner Hogg, however, commented that if the conditions are sunny, he would bring in a second spinner in R Ashwin.
“But if it looks as though it is going to be sunny for the five days, then I would go with three quicks and two spinners. Ravichandran Ashwin comes in for Siraj,” Hogg concluded.
The grand finale, which will bring down the curtains on a two-year-long tournament, will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The match is slated to begin on June 18. It will be followed by a five-match Test series against England.
