Team India skipper Virat Kohli said that both teams will start the ICC World Test Championship final on equal terms. India will lock horns with New Zealand in the title encounter at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting June 18 (Friday).
While the WTC final will be the first game of the tour for India, the Black Caps have two-match Test series against England scheduled before the title clash. Many former greats have ranked the Kiwis as the favourites leading to the all-important encounter.
Virat Kohli has brushed aside all such claims saying both India and New Zealand ‘are on equal terms’ going into the WTC final in Southampton.
“The conditions (in England) are as potent for us as New Zealand. We are going to board the flight thinking that we’re on equal terms. Whoever plays better Test cricket will come out on top,” said Kohli at a pre-departure virtual press conference in Mumbai.
This is not the first time we are playing in England – Virat Kohli
Adding further, Virat Kohli said New Zealand did not hold an advantage over the Indians even after having had recent game time in England just before the final.
“It’s not the first time we are playing in England. (With) the hunger and desire to be there… We have no problems with having just four practice sessions going into the final,” said Kohli.
The WTC final will be followed by the series against England, who had beaten India 4-1 on the last tour in 2018. Virat Kohli believes that the tour is not the final frontier for India, who have already defeated Australia twice in their last two visits.
“Not quite, said Kohli. “(England series) is not a final frontier for us. We want to remain on top for years to come. We have worked hard for the final, for us it’s just about keeping the standard high,” he added.
