After IPL 2023, the World Test Championship final match will be played between India and Australia on June 7 at The Oval in England. At the same time, the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) has selected 15 member squad for this prestigious tournament.
It is reported that the India team management and selectors took inputs from Dhoni, before selecting Rahane in the squad for the World Test Championship final. Dhoni has given positive inputs, after which Rahane got selected.
Once again, KL Rahul and KS Bharat have been given a chance in this team. At the same time, the debate about these two players has intensified as who should get a chance as a wicketkeeper in the final.
KS Bharath is the wicketkeeper in the 15-man squad as Rishabh Pant is not playing. But for one match, there is the possibility that KL Rahul can also be included in the playing11 to strengthen their batting order.
Former India coach Ravi Shastri also recently discussed the same issue. “We should also look at Dhoni if we are looking at wicketkeeper-batters. He looks fit enough to play.” the news anchor asked Ravi Shastri on ESPN Cricinfo.
Shastri replied: “The question now is about the final eleven; who’s going to play? Whether it will be KS Bharat, the wicketkeeper, or KL Rahul. We’ll just have to wait and see. Oh yeah. Dhoni has shown up a lot of young keepers in the country with the way he has kept behind the stumps, the way he has moved just for someone who doesn’t play first-class cricket just to pitch up.”
During this debate, Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian team, was questioned about Mahendra Singh Dhoni. To which Shastri has given a brilliant answer. When a news anchor asked Ravi Shastri on ESPN Cricinfo, “Should we be looking at Mahendra Singh Dhoni, if we are looking at wicketkeepers?” So the clear answer from the former India head coach was- “No.”
Shastri said, “No, Because once Dhoni decided, he would not change it now. When Dhoni left Test cricket, he would never come back. He could have played for one and a half years more. He could have played 100 Test matches. He could have been given a good farewell.”
