India have announced their 15-man team for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand two days prior to the scheduled start on June 16. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revealed on Twitter the squad while the team management will choose the final playing XI in the coming days.
Only Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been selected as openers that implies Mayank Agarwal is out of the reckoning for the big clash except for some unforeseen events.
The batting order remains the same with Cheteshwar Pujara, skipper Virat Kohli, and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane marked to form the middle order of the batting.
Hanuma Vihari, too, has found a place in the 15-member team amid speculations over his place in the final playing XI along with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha have been marked for the wicketkeeper role.
In the pace bowling department, India have named Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj in a move that should end the speculation over India thinking of playing Shardul as the fourth seamer in case the surface will aid more seam movement than usual.
Earlier today, New Zealand too had announced their 15-man squad with the regular skipper Kane Williamson returning after missing the last Test of the series against England.