London, June 5 : With just two days to go before the start of the ICC World Test Championship final, Rahul Dravid, head coach of the Indian cricket team, exuded cautious confidence about India's chances in the match.

It was a wet spring; so, there is the likelihood of residual moisture on the pitch. On the other hand, the recent and anticipated sunshine could dry the track, without quite hardening it to generate disconcerting bounce. Last week in the England versus Ireland Test at Lord’s, north of the British capital’s River Thames, the wicket eased into a somewhat flat surface from the second day onwards.

India are handicapped by the unavailability of Jasprit Bumrah, K.L. Rahul and Rishabh Pant due to injuries. At the same time, it’s clear that five batsmen, an all-rounder, a wicket-keeper and four bowlers will constitute the playing XI.

Speculation over who will stand behind the stumps is perhaps fanciful, since K.S. Bharat is not only a better exponent with the gloves than Ishan Kishan, but has played at the highest level, that too, against Australia, whereas his Kishan is yet to make the grade.

Noticeably, Kishan batted extensively at the nets at The Oval on Sunday, while the veteran Ajinkya Rahane surprisingly didn’t do so at all.