NEWS
Follow UsFormer India captain and opener Sunil Gavaskar feels Virat Kohli and Co. might drop a spinner and play Hanuma Vihari in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand after day one was completely washed out.
India had announced their XI on Thursday, going with the combination of six batsmen, two spin-bowling all-rounders and three fast bowlers.
"Yes, that's the thing. See, they might have announced the team yesterday, [but] nothing is finalized until the captains share the sheets with each other during the toss. So, you can change the team till the very last moment," Gavaskar told Aaj Tak.
"So I feel like maybe they'll think of playing another batsman because of the weather. Because these conditions are suitable for New Zealand fast bowlers so Rishabh Pant is at six, he might shift to seven and an extra batsman might play. Seeing this weather, one spinner might be dropped."
However, India's fielding coach R Sridhar has already hinted that they might stick with the same XI, but if really needed, they will take a call at toss time.
Gavaskar also added that there's enough grass on the surface in Southampton and both teams would be looking to bowl first.
"Yes, that will be the thinking of both the captains. It has been raining since yesterday so the groundsmen haven't got the chance to trim the grass and roll the pitch. There will definitely be some grass then.
"That's why I feel that as both India and New Zealand have brilliant new-ball attacks, they'll want to safeguard their own batters and field first (if they win the toss). If they can pick up 3-4 wickets in the first hour, the match will be in their control."