India and New Zealand are the form teams in Test cricket at the moment, and both sides are worthy of their place in the showpiece match.
The inaugural World Test Championship didn’t run the course it was expected to due to the pandemic but the final promises an intriguing tussle.
India vs New Zealand| 18 – 22 June | Rose Bowl, Southampton, England | 11:30
To Win Match
India 7/4
Draw 2/1
New Zealand 7/4
India
India head into the series fresh from a fairly long break from cricket and without the benefit of playing a Test series in the host country.
Topping the standings has not inferred any advantage to India, with the trophy set to be shared if the match is drawn.
While Virat Kohli is the figurehead of the India batting, the grunt work of late has been done by Ajinkya Rahane; through the course of the World Test Championship, he has been India’s highest run-scorer.
India’s seamers will need to have a big impact on the match if they are to be crowned World Champions in Southampton. Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami all played in India’s most recent Test at the Rose Bowl and had hosts England in trouble early, but they need to make sure they ram home any advantage they gain to get the win.
New Zealand
New Zealand contest their second consecutive ICC World Championship match and have every chance of lifting the trophy and ending their long wait for major success.
Bolstered by a series win against England, New Zealand has an asymmetric edge over India, with conditions already more suited to their game. That advantage comes with added pressure however, and Test cricket is as much a mental game as a physical one.
New Zealand have leaned on veteran paceman Tim Southee, during their World Test Championship campaign, with Trent Boult battling injuries. Neil Wagner’s enforcer role will be vital as the Kiwis try to remind India, they don’t like playing in England.
All eyes will be on Devon Conway after his brilliant Test debut earlier this month. The SA-born batsman is on a tear and adds beef to an already impressive New Zealand top order.
Verdict: New Zealand 7/4
This one could go either way, but on paper, New Zealand look stronger.
