WTC Final 2023: Why India chose KS Bharat over Ishan Kishan against Australia

The World Test Championship 2023 Final has started at the Oval from Wednesday (June 7). India and Australia are locking horns in the summit clash and India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bowl first.

India have gone with four seamers and a spinner, as veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin missed out in the playing eleven. But apart from that, another interesting decision has been regarding the wicketkeeper selection.

Regular wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was long out after sustaining multiple injuries from an accident last year. KL Rahul was tipped to be the custodian for the Indian team in the WTC Final, but he damaged his thigh during IPL 2023 and was subsequently ruled out.

India had chosen KS Bharat in the squad and then added Ishan Kishan as a replacement for Rahul. There were speculations about the selection of the duo and many predicted Kishan many get the nod and make his debut in the WTC Final.

But India team management have opted to go with KS Bharat in the team, instead of the swashbuckling Kishan. And here are the probable reasons why they may have chosen Bharat-

Bharat has Test playing experience

KS Bharat has played 4 Test matches in his career prior to the WTC Final. He made debut earlier this year against Australia in the BGT and played all four matches in the series. On the other hand, Ishan Kishan is yet to make his debut for India in the longest format and the team management decided to give advantage to that slightest bit of seniority and chose Bharat over Kishan.

Bharat gives India an option in the middle-order

KS Bharat can be utilized at the lower middle order, a luxury which Ishan Kishan doesn't provide. Bharat's ability to bat as a floater was deemed an advantage over the southpaw and perhaps the decision was taken on that.

Also, Bharat's glovework is somewhat better than Kishan and in challenging conditions in England, choosing Bharat was the right decision.