Xtra Time Web Desk: In a bid to prepare well for the upcoming World Test Championship final, Team India Head Coach Rahul Dravid along with batting coach Vikram Rathour, bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, and fielding coach T Dilip, met with NCA Chief VVS Laxman to discuss the blueprint for the upcoming World Test Championship Final against Australia at the Oval starting on June 7. They also discussed various issues related to the senior team. Laxman is also responsible for overseeing the rehabilitation and progress of injured and targeted players.
One of the challenges for the Indian test team will be the lack of good quality practice games, as the English county season is ongoing and IPL team members who do not qualify for the playoffs can only play intra-squad matches among themselves. BCCI is mulling the idea to request ECB for a scratch squad, but it is likely to consist of rookies or players from minor county teams. Another concern is the selection of net bowlers to train alongside the main squad.
The workload management of fast bowlers during the IPL has not been communicated in writing to the franchises, and there may be questions for Head of Sports Science Nitin Patel about the regular breakdown of players who are returning from rehabilitation. The selection of the final squad for the WTC, which will include pacers like Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Jaydev Unadkat, will depend on their fitness levels.