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Team India are facing a massive injury crisis ahead of their World Test Championship (WTC) final clash against Australia, which will be played at The Oval in June.
Key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer won't turn out for the side in the clash. Meanwhile, Jaydev Unadkat and Umesh Yadav's participation is in doubt, with the duo dealing with injuries suffered during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
India have already been forced to bring in some experience by recalling Ajinkya Rahane, who was dropped last year after a string of underwhelming performances. A few other veteran cricketers had genuine cases to be part of the side for the one-off clash but didn't make the grade.
India's squad for the WTC final: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ruturaj Gaikwad (standby), Mukesh Kumar (standby), Suryakumar Yadav (standby).
Here are three veteran Indian cricketers who should've been recalled to India's squad for the WTC final.
#3 Hanuma Vihari
Hanuma Vihari has unfortunately gotten the short end of the stick in his international career so far. Having been deployed in a variety of positions and conditions before being strangely ousted from the side, the middle-order batter last featured for India in July 2022.
Vihari has been dealing with a few injuries lately and had a rather disappointing domestic season for Andhra. He made headlines for his heroic injury-defying effort against Madhya Pradesh but notched up only two fifties and no centuries in 14 Ranji Trophy innings.
However, Vihari's sound technique and ability to bat time would've helped India, who will be without two key cogs in their middle order in Shreyas and Pant. He has already played a couple of hugely important knocks for the national side and has proven himself to be a player who rises to the occasion.
With Virat Kohli's form being hit and miss and Cheteshwar Pujara having a terrible record in England, the 29-year-old could have added value to the side.
#2 Ishant Sharma
Ishant Sharma is one of India's most successful bowlers in Test history, having scalped 311 wickets across a whopping 105 appearances in the format. The 34-year-old last turned out for the country in November 2021.
Ishant has been in the wilderness since then, with his advancing age and injury concerns limiting the selectors' desire to keep him in the mix. Rohit Sharma and Co. have quite a few younger options, and the experienced fast bowler doesn't fit the bill anymore.
However, India could use a bowler of Ishant's ability in the WTC final. Without Bumrah and potentially Unadkat too, they will need someone to perform the holding role and keep things tight from one end.
Ishant, who gets seam movement in both directions and has put in a few memorable performances in England, could've contributed significantly. He has cranked up the pace in the IPL and seems to be in decent shape.
#1 Wriddhiman Saha
Head coach Rahul Dravid informed Wriddhiman Saha that he won't be part of the team's plans in the longest format at some point during the first quarter of 2022. The experienced gloveman last played a red-ball game for India in December 2021.
Had Pant been fit and available, Saha wouldn't have been anywhere near the side. His batting ability in the longest format isn't even in the same planet as Pant's, and he has also had troubles with injuries in the past.
However, with the side's regular keeper recovering from a horrific car crash, the 38-year-old might be the best option on paper.
KS Bharat and Ishan Kishan don't inspire much confidence, and the ball is bound to move around a lot in England. Saha, whose keeping skills are as sharp as ever, could've earned a surprise recall ahead of the younger duo.
As they say, teams should always play their best keeper, and that's just what Saha is even at his advanced age.
