WTC Final: KS Bharat or Ishan Kishan? Ravi Shastri told who should be the wicket keeper of Team India against Australia

Former Team India coach Ravi Shastri believes that KS Bharat or Ishan Kishan, who will be selected for the role of wicketkeeper in the World Test Championship Final (WTC Final) against Australia in England next month? Team India regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant is recovering from a car accident and KL Rahul also underwent surgery on his right thigh. The Indian team management is in a dilemma as to whom to pick between Bharat and Ishan Kishan for the WTC final starting June 7 at The Oval.

Shastri said that since Bharat kept wicket during the Border-Gavaskar series earlier this year, he was hopeful that the management would prefer the 29-year-old over Ishan. Shastri said in the ICC review, “You have to see who is the better wicketkeeper. Bharat or Ishan Kishan? Bharat was given a chance against Australia, where he played all the Test matches. I think he will be given a place in the playing 11.

Circumstances will decide who will get the chance

Bharat performed decently as wicketkeeper, but did not perform as expected with the bat. He was able to score only 101 runs on spin-friendly pitches. Kishan, on the other hand, did not get a chance against Australia and was included in the Indian squad for the WTC after Rahul was injured during the IPL. Shastri indicated that the venue conditions of the WTC final would decide which wicket-keeper ultimately gets to play.

Shastri said – there will be a tough decision

Shastri said, “Look, this will be another tough decision. Now if two spinners are playing, you would want Bharat to play.” Though Bharat has played only four Tests, his domestic experience of 90 first-class matches in the longest format gives him the upper hand. Ishan, on the other hand, is yet to make his Test debut and has played 48 first-class matches. Ishan can be more effective with the bat than Bharat. He scored a double century in an ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong late last year.

Karthik said – Bharat will get preference because of this

Experienced wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik of India and Royal Challengers Bangalore feels that Bharat will be preferred in the WTC final because of his experience. Karthik said, “I think Bharat will be selected because Ishan Kishan is going to make his debut and playing directly in the World Test Championship final will be more than expected.” KS Bharat probably being the better wicket-keeper gets the upper hand. So I think he will play KS Bharat in the final.