India fast bowler Shardul Thakur (AFP Image)
Dinesh Karthik suggests Shardul Thakur to return to India XI for WTC final in place of Akshar Patel
India’s experienced wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik feels that Akshar Patel will not be able to play in the Indian XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia at the Oval in London. India made it to the WTC final for the second consecutive season after beating Australia 2-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Akshar played a key role in India’s victory over Australia with the bat. The bowling all-rounder scored 264 runs in four matches and was the third highest run-scorer in the series. Meanwhile, he was not at his best with the ball as he picked up just three wickets while his other spin partners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took 25 and 22 wickets respectively.
Karthik suggested that Shardul Thakur return to the India XI for the WTC final in place of Axar as the Oval conditions would help the pacers.
“If Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are fit, Akshar Patel will have to miss out. I think Shardul Thakur will replace him. If I have to be very honest, India made a mistake last time by playing both the spinners and they didn’t bowl that much. It’s a one-off game and you don’t see it in the bigger scheme of things,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.
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He also feels that India may have to choose between Jadeja and Ashwin for a place in the XI.
“You have to go into the game saying, what is my best XI to win that game? If it means taking out one of Jadeja and Ashwin, fine.”
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Talking about Ashwin, the veteran wicketman also said that he might be at the fag end of his career and he has to decide whether he can play for another WTC cycle.
Karthik said, “It is very difficult for me to say how long he will continue to play, but you feel that Ashwin is at the backend.” need to answer. Being the highest wicket-taker again, I am sure he will fancy himself.”
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