It looks like a really strong squad: Parthiv Patel on Team India’s squad for WTC Final

The stage has been set for the first World Test Championship final, which will pit Team India against New Zealand. The all-important finale will be held at Southampton's Ageas Bowl Stadium. 

The BCCI's All-India Senior Selection Committee announced the Indian squad for the WTC final earlier this week. The upcoming Test matches will see the return of a few familiar faces in Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Shami who are returning from injuries.

Speaking at Star Sports' show Cricket Connected, former India and RCB wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has given a high rating to India's 20-member squad for the WTC final.

"I think it looks like a really strong squad. If you want to compare India and New Zealand squad, I think we have covered all the bases. You talk about fast bowlers, we've got Bumrah, Ishan, Shami and if either of them is not fit then there's Mohammad Siraj and Umesh Yadav," said Parthiv on Star Sports' show Cricket Connected.

On the squad depth

"There's enough depth in the squad. If we talk about batsmen -- Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant -- there's a proper band of proper batsmen who can bat well in England," he added.

On Team India’s bench strength 

"Everyone scored runs, and there is a spare batsman in KL Rahul. Imagine KL Rahul not finding a space in the Test squad, so how strong this squad could be. Then there is Axar Patel, who has probably been the Man of the Match in a lot of matches against England," stated the 36-year-old.

"He came in place of Ravindra Jadeja and never felt like Ravindra Jadeja was out. Now Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin will be back, so I think this squad looks really strong," he concluded.

Team India’s squad for WTC Final and England Test series

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), and Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance). 

Standby players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, and Arzan Nagwaswalla.