WTC Final 2023: Australia unsure if India will use both Jadeja and Ashwin, says assistant coach Daniel Vettori

India utilised three spinners during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with both Ravichandran Ashwin (25 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja (22) shinning bright to help their side claim a 2-1 series win.

Axar Patel was the other spinner in the XI during BGT 2023, but the left-arm spinner shined mostly with the bat. However, the possibility of playing three spinners at The Oval seem very bleak.

Australia are expecting Jadeja to feature in India’s playing XI for the WTC final, but are unsure about R Ashwin’s participation in the marque contest as an option to play an extra pacer may be tempting for any team in these conditions.

Talking to local media prior to Australia’s training session at the Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham on Thursday (June 1), Vettori said the team management had a lot of discussion about India’s probable bowling attack.

“We have been debating that,” Vettori said. “I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at that No.6 position.

“Then the question will be around that fourth seamer and the all-rounder in (Shardul) Thakur and Ashwin, but they are (both) pretty good choices.”

Vettori, however, feels Ashwin might just lose out on a spot in the playing XI because of team combination despite enjoying a decent record in England.

The experienced off-spinner has a total of 18 wickets at an average of 28.11 from seven matches in England but has played just one Test at The Oval.

Vettori lauded Ashwin and said the experienced spinner will be first choice in most teams, but conditions in The Oval, which may assist spinners only as the game progresses, may see team opt for an extra pacer.

“Ashwin is an incredible bowler and he will be first choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to that (him missing selection),” Vettori said.

“We expect The Oval to behave how it always behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on.”

Cameron Green To Play Big Part in WTC Final

Vettori also expects Cameron Green to play a big part in the WTC final, especially after his superb showing in the just-concluded IPL.

“Any cricket is preparation now. He is doing work in the background to make sure his bowling loads are up and he is actually ready for Test cricket,” Vettori said of Green.

“We look at it like if you are involved in high-intensity, high-class cricket, we are happy with that as it means you are playing cricket.”

The assistant coach, however, added a few guys may find it challenging having played no cricket for a while, but that’s not the case with Green, who played a big part in Mumbai Indians reaching the IPL 2023 qualifiers.

“The hardest thing for guys is coming out of nothing and that might be a challenge for a couple of guys who have had an extended break and how they get up to speed as quickly as possible,” Vettori added.

“With Cameron I think he has been playing so much cricket, he will be fine. It’s great to have him back. He offers so much to the team and had a great series in India for us and then is coming off the back of a successful IPL.”

(With PTI inputs)