WTC Final: How Indian batters prepare for Mitchell Starc threat at nets

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With hours left for World Test Championships Final or WTC Final, Rohit Sharma and his team slugged it hard at the nets at the Oval to be ready for the big challenge against Australia. The team is certainly wary of Aussie bowling strength in the conditions.

And to deal with Mitchell Starc, one of the fastest pace and best in the business, Indian batters were seen facing Jaydev Unadkat at the nets extensively, reported news agency ANI. Both Unadkat and Starc are left-arm pacers and Indian batters faced Unadkat to get familiar with the angle a southpaw pacer creates.

India will take on Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval from June 7 onwards. Team India did the warmup practice at the Oval and also conducted fielding drills where key players Kohli, Pujara and Rahane participated.

In view of moisture content in the atmosphere of England, wicket-keeper KS Bharath, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane did slip fielding pratice as swinging conditions are the primary element in England grounds.

After the fielding drills and practice the Indian team hit the nets for batting practice. Rohit Sharma along with Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan and Umesh Yadav did batting practice on four different pitches. Ravindra Jadeja also did fielding and batting practice to prepare for the final.

Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Shardul Thakur did bowling practice, Shami looked in invincible form knocking down the wicket of Subhuman Gill. After batting practice, Ajinkya Rahane did some close slip catch practice to prepare for spinners in the finals.

India's squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner.

With inputs from ANI