WTC Final: India must go with two spinners against Australia at The Oval, says Monty Panesar

Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar would like the Indian team management to field both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the World Test Championship final against Australia.

The WTC final will be held at the Oval from June 7 to June 11. This is the first time in 140 years of Test match history that the historic South London field will be hosting a Test match in June, when the pitch is green and fresh.

A Test match at the Oval is always the final game of a series for the visiting team, usually in late August or early September when the surfaces are dry and aid slow bowlers.

“It is one pitch in England you tend to play two spinners. If the ball turns, there is bounce as well for the spinners. In my view the wicket will be flat. In these conditions, it will suit India if they play two spinners. We have already seen Australia struggling against spinners, especially from India,” Panesar was quoted as saying by the news agency PTI.

Playing two spinners did not work out for India in the WTC final two years ago in Southampton, but Panesar believes the Rohit Sharma-led side can benefit from that combination at The Oval.

“The weather has been hot and we are seeing the ball turning even in some T20 Blast games in London. I also don’t see them keeping grass because they would want the match to last at least four days,” Panesar added.

Panesar chose Umesh Yadav over Shardul Thakur as the third pacer. Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj are both automatic inclusions in the starting lineup.

“It will also be interesting to see who the seamers will be as they have lot of options there as well. India are the stronger side in my opinion on all fronts. As they will get extra batting options with Ashwin and Jadeja, I would go with Umesh as the third pacer.

CHETESHWAR PUJARA THE X-FACTOR

Panesar has made an intriguing choice in selecting Cheteswar Pujara as India’s x-factor player. The right-hander has scored a lot of runs in county cricket over the last two seasons and was the only one playing red cricket while everyone else was focused on the IPL.

“The Indian top-order is in form. The conditions will be similar to the Wankhede pitch which is fast and bouncy. My x factor batter will be Pujara because he has done so well in these English conditions for Sussex. He is the guy who binds this batting line up together.

“He is good with his defence and if the ball is going to do a little bit, he can negotiate the Aussie bowlers and when the pitch is flat, the others can cash in with some attacking cricket,” said Panesar.