WTC Final – If India pick four fast bowlers, Shardul Thakur will be my pick: Sarandeep Singh

Former Indian selector Sarandeep Singh wants the Indian team to back Shardul Thakur as the fourth seamer in the World Test Championship final.

Singh feels if the conditions are overcast then the Virat Kohli-led team can go with four seamers and in that case Ravindra Jadeja will have to sit out.

Singh noted that Mohammed Siraj has done a fine job for India in the recent past but he will back Shardul Thakur. Thakur had played in the Gabba Test match against Australia and had come up with an exceptional performance.

The right-arm fast bowler from Mumbai had scalped seven wickets in the match and had also scored a game-changing knock of 67 runs.

Thakur had added a fine alliance with Washington Sundar to get the Indian team back in the contest. Singh added that Thakur gives an extra batting option to the team as he can chip in while batting in the lower order.

“If conditions are overcast, then you can play an extra fast bowler after Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami,” Sarandeep told PTI.

“My pick would be Shardul though Siraj has also done very well,” he said.

“You will need batting options in the lower order and Shardul gives you that. The ball will do a bit at Southampton and Shardul is good at swinging the ball. He has years of experience in domestic cricket and has a very sharp cricketing mind,” he added.

It will be interesting to note India’s combination and a lot will depend on the conditions they get in Southampton. India is expected to go with two spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as they have got all the experience under their belt. However, the final call will be taken according to the pitch and weather conditions.

The WTC final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.