The biggest prize in Test cricket is up for grabs and two of the best teams are behind it. It’s fire vs ice as India take on New Zealand in the World Test Championship Final. The match is set to be played at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton on June 18th.
New Zealand enter this game as absolute favourites. Having beaten England in two Test matches, they will be high on confidence. Their main man Kane Williamson will be the one to watch out for. Apart from that, they have newcomer Devon Conway who has taken world cricket by storm with a double hundred at Lords.
The Black Caps will want their experienced campaigners to do the job with the bat. When it comes to the bowling department the Kiwis are second to none. Their fast bowlers will make use of the pace and bounce and make the ball move.
India on the other hand is the team to beat in this World Test Championship. Their squad depth is amazing. Whenever the veterans have been injured or failed to step up the youngsters have taken over. Virat Kohli is due a century for a long time now and the fierce batsman that he is everyone expects him to perform well.
Other than the captain the strong Indian middle order is expected to do well. Cheteshwar Pujara will be the key with the bat. Talking about the Indian bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami will be seen leading the pace attack. The spinners will be effective in the latter part of the game and might have a role to play in the outcome of the game.
Match Details
Match: India vs New Zealand, World Test Championship Final
Date and Time: 18th June 2021, at 3 PM IST
Venue: The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
IND vs NZ Head to Head Records
Total number of matches played: 59
Matches won by IND: 21
Matches won by NZ: 12
Pitch Report
The curator has revealed that the pitch will have pace and bounce on the first three days of the match. With the weather forecast offering a faint chance of rain during the ICC WTC Final, the conditions will suit seamers. In the last two days, we might see some assistance for the spinners.
Playing XIs
India (confirmed)–Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant (WK).
New Zealand (predicted)- Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson (C), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (WK), Kyle Jamieson, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner & Trent Boult.
WTC FINAL Match Prediction
New Zealand are favourites to win this game as they have just shown what they are capable of by beating England. They have a decent pace attack and a formidable batting lineup. But India is not an easy team. They are a fierce and hungry team. They have a strong playing 11 and will come hard at the opposition. Toss will play a crucial factor and we might see the captains electing to bat after winning the toss.
Although New Zealand are favourites India will be backed to win the first-ever World Test Championship.
