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Former India coach Ravi Shastri has backed KL Rahul to seal his place as a wicketkeeper-batter for the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June, saying his presence will strengthen the team's batting lineup. Rahul has a good record in England but he was dropped from the playing XI after the first two Tests against Australia at home due to poor form. The 30-year-old from Karnataka, however, made an impressive return, slamming a match-winning 75 not out in the first ODI against Australia in Mumbai on Friday night. Shastri feels Rahul can play as a wicket-keeper in the WTC final, especially after KS Bharat couldn't produce the goods in the absence of an indisposed Rishabh Pant. "He (KL) has really done well to keep the selectors interested ahead of the WTC final," Shastri told Star Sports. "Two things, one for the ODI series when Rohit Sharma returns and the other for the WTC final... India can bolster their batting if Rahul can keep wickets. "Rahul can bat in the middle-or
Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin believes Ishan Kishan would be a strong option as a wicket-keeper batter in the absence of Rishabh Pant for next month's four-match Test series against Australia. Ishan was handed a maiden call-up in India's Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar trophy beginning at Nagpur on February 9. Azhar, who is doing commentary in the International League T20 in UAE, said what happened to Pant is very unfortunate but Ishan's aggressive style of batting makes him a strong contender for the wicketkeeper-batter's slot. Pant was severely injured in a car accident in the last week of December while he was travelling from Delhi to Roorkee. He will be sidelined for most of the 2023 season as he recovers from multiple injuries. "Ishan Kishan has been selected in the Indian Test team on his recent form I think he will be a stronger contender for wicket-keeper batsman option. He is a left handed batsman," Azhar told PTI in an interview. However, it will not be eas
The Oval and the iconic Lord's will host the World Test Championship (WTC) Final in 2023 and 2025 respectively, the game's governing body ICC said on Wednesday. England were identified as the hosts for the next two WTC Finals during the ICC Annual General Meeting in Birmingham in July. "We are delighted to be hosting next year's ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval which has such a rich legacy and an amazing atmosphere, which is ideal for such an important fixture on the calendar," ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said in a statement. "Following that we will then take the 2025 Final to Lord's which will provide a fitting backdrop to the ultimate Test. "Last year's final between New Zealand and India in Southampton was an engrossing encounter and I am sure fans the world over would be looking forward to the next WTC final at The Oval." While the venues have been announced, the dates for both the 2023 and 2025 ICC World Test Championship Finals has not been confirmed ...