After hat-trick of series wins against England, Ravi Shastri trains guns on WTC final challenge

Ravi Shastri. Pic/AFP

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri's next big challenge is the World Test Championship final in which his team take on New Zealand at Southampton on June 18.
Shastri has enjoyed a great run of victories, the latest being an emphatic romp against the English tourists in all three formats.

During the limited overs series, Shastri told mid-day that preparations for the WTC will start immediately after the ODI series.

Indeed, Shastri has much to think while his boys get immersed in the Indian Premier League starting April 9.

"New Zealand is a tough side. A great challenge for us. I am confident that our team will give it their best in the WTC final. We recently won against Australia and England after losing the first Test - both strong teams. That gives me confidence that they will repeat the same against New Zealand," Shastri said recently.

About the team composition, his initial thoughts were: "We should ideally play three seamers and two spinners. It's a primary thought. We will have to keep an mind open about this. We'll have to see who all play well in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja may make a pair. Jaddu should get an opportunity the moment he becomes fit."

It should be noted that India found a spinning hero in Axar Patel, who had the Englishmen in a tizzy during the Test series. The left-armer's claims for a spot in the playing XI will be loud. Pace ace Jasprit Bumrah will return to India ranks after a break which began from the fourth and final Test against England in Ahmedabad.

"Bumrah will definitely rise to the occasion. He is a special player indeed," said Shastri.

Bumrah would be licking his fingers in anticipation of another opportunity on English soil. In 2018, he played the last three Tests of the five-match series and ended up with 14 wickets.