India Likely To Stick To XI Named Before Rain Says Fielding Coach R Sridhar

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India are looking to stick to the playing XI they announced on Thursday for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand at Hampshire Bowl even though they have an option to change it before the toss takes place.

The first day's play was washed out and the toss will take place on the second day if rain stops and the ground conditions are fit for play to start.

"I think the XI which has been announced is the XI that takes the pitch and conditions out of the equation. I think it is an XI which can play and perform on any given surface and in any given weather conditions. So that is what I believe: this XI is all about which we have put on the park," India's fielding coach R. Sridhar told media before.

Sridhar, however, adding that India are keeping the option open. "But having said the toss is not yet over, so if there needs to be a decision taken, it needs to be taken at the time of the toss," he added.

New Zealand, on the other hand, haven't named their starting line-up since they want to see the pitch first.

"We haven't confirmed the final eleven yet. Again, we have to wait and see when we get the chance to have a look at the wicket etc. Yeah, sure Kane [Williamson, the captain] and [head coach Gary] Steady have a few contingencies in plan but we will have to wait and see when the covers come off and we get a chance to play," vice-captain Tom Latham told the media.

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