The injury list of the Indian cricket team ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 final just keeps getting longer and longer. After Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and Shreyas Iyer were confirmed absentees for the summit clash, KL Rahul and Jaydev Unadkat too have joined this infamous list.
Jaydev Unadkat, who was playing for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, injured his shoulder during a practice session. This mishap occurred on 30th April 2023 and he was ruled out of both IPL 2023 and the WTC final 2023.
Notably, Jaydev Unadkat had staged a comeback into the Indian Test team after a hiatus of 12 years after he was named in the Indian squad for the 2nd Test match between India and Bangladesh, last year. He was also named as a part of India’s squad in the WTC final 2023.
In this article, we take a look at 3 bowlers who can replace Jaydev Unadkat in India’s squad for the WTC final 2023.
1. Ishant Sharma
The most obvious name in this list is veteran pacer Ishant Sharma. The Delhi-based pacer is very experienced in the red-ball format and has so far played 105 Test matches and has bagged 311 wickets.
He knows the English conditions really well as he has been part of several English tours. As Ajinkya Rahane was named in India’s squad purely because of the experience factor, India should name Ishant Sharma as a replacement of Jaydev Unadkat.
2. Mukesh Kumar
The Bengal pacer had a terrific Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season and helped Bengal reach the finals for the 2nd time in the past 3 years. Mukesh Kumar bagged 22 wickets in 5 games and was a force to reckon with in the tournament.
Last year during the 3-match ODI series between India and South Africa, Mukesh Kumar was named in India’s squad. He however didn’t get to play a single game. But with his cricketing prowess, he could make a good bowler.
3. Avesh Khan
In the Irani Cup 2023, Avesh Khan had proved everyone as to why he is a lethal bowler with the red-cherry. He bagged 6 wickets across 2 innings and was the cynosure of all eyes. Avesh Khan can be an able replacement of Jaydev Unadkat in India’s squad for the upcoming WTC finals 2023.
Avesh Khan has international experience and has played 5 ODIs and 15 T20Is for India.
Also read: IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Can Replace KL Rahul In The Opening Slot Of Lucknow Super Giants