Who is the champion in test cricket - India or New Zealand? Not many days are left to know the answer as the final of the ICC World Test Championship is going to start in Southampton, England from this Friday.
New Zealand's team seems to be in good form. Last week, England was beaten 1-0 by New Zealand in a two-day -Test series played on their soil. The first test match played between the two teams was drawn but the second test match played in Birmingham was easily won by New Zealand by eight wickets.
In the second innings, New Zealand had only 38 runs to win, which they achieved by losing two wickets. Earlier, New Zealand had defeated England 2-1 in the four-Test series played in 1999.
This victory, which came after a long gap of 22 years, has raised alarm bells for India before the World Test Championship final.
INDIA IS ALSO RIDING ON THE CHARIOT OF VICTORY
But India has also done well in Test cricket in the past. India has defeated Australia and England in the last two test series. For the first time in the history of Test cricket, India defeated Australia 2-1 in their home in a four-Test series in a scintillating manner, the echoes of which are still heard today.
After this, India defeated England 3-1 in the four-Test series played at their home ground.
KOHLI IS READY
Before leaving for England for this much-coveted final, India captain Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri told in unison through a virtual press conference that the Indian team has performed brilliantly in the last few years at home and abroad. This brilliant performance is the reward for reaching the World Test Championship.
Captain Virat Kohli said that he plans to take Indian cricket forward and not according to the thinking of the people because victory cannot be achieved with such thinking.
On the other hand, coach Ravi Shastri said that there should be three matches of Test Cricket Championship final in the future.
FORMER INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER IN FAVOR OF NEW ZEALAND
When for the first time the Test champion is being decided not on points but the basis of matches, then obviously the eyes of the cricketers around the world will be on the match and they will also give their reaction accordingly.
Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee believes that since New Zealand's team is more accustomed to playing in favorable conditions of swing bowling, it may have an edge over India.
Brett Lee also believes that the team that bowls well will win the final. By the way, he considers both the teams to be the same.
Something similar is believed by former India captain and Dilip Vengsarkar, who has scored three centuries at the Mecca Lord's of cricket. His remarks appeared prominently in the newspapers in the past that India should have played two three warm-up matches before the final. Like the batsmen, the bowlers also needed match practice.
Vengsarkar also said that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are in good shape but a lack of competitive matches could affect their performance in the World Test Championship final at the start of the tour. New Zealand may already have the advantage of being in England.
A FINAL CHALLENGE FOR KANE WILLIAMSON AND HENRY NICHOLLS
While India captain Virat Kohli is full of confidence, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is speaking calmly. He says that he is thrilled to face the Indian team. Williamson said in the video released on ICC's Twitter that it is a great challenge to play against India.
In the video, he said, "It is exciting to play the final, and winning it will be icing on the cake. We will give India a tough fight. Regarding the championship, he believed that the matches should be very interesting."
On the other hand, New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wegner believes that India has good fast bowlers who can make good use of the conditions in England, who can swing the ball, but when it is sunny, the wickets can also be flat, which will not help them.
The final match is to be played at the Aegis Bowl ground where the pitch is generally helpful for the spinners.
New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls believes that the spinner duo of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are more concerned.
Henry Nicholls has said another very big thing. He said that Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami have proved their mettle over the years and are on par with their fast bowlers Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wegner.
Nicholls also said that it will be an exciting challenge as he will play the Test Championship final at a neutral venue.
INDIA IS VERY STRONG
In the eyes of cricket critic Vijay Lokpally, the Indian team is very strong on the strength of its batsmen and bowlers. He said that everyone is feeling that very exciting cricket will be seen.
He said, "I think for the first time in the final of the World Test Championship, two of the best teams in the world will face each other. New Zealand has won the Test series from England and the Indian team has also got the experience of playing in England so far. From India, There is also a lot of hope as they beat Australia first and then England at home. The Indian team is in excellent form in every format of cricket so a close match can be seen, but it will happen if there is no rain."
Vijay Lokpally says about the possibility of rain that according to the newspapers of England, it may rain here for two days.
He says, "So far it has been seen that England's forecasts turn out to be correct. Now one can only pray that it rains either on the first day of the match or after the match so that the final can happen smoothly. Around the world, All eyes are on the first final of this World Test Championship."
Regarding the safe day i.e. Reserve Day, Vijay Lokpally says that from now on it cannot be said that on which day and when it will rain? Will it rain during the match or after?
He says, "The effect of rain can be on the bowling. If the team is selected according to the rain, but if there is no rain or there is little in the first two days, then the selection of the team will be affected. The rhythm of the game should not be broken. Reserve day has been kept so that the result comes out in the match.
On the other hand, Ayaz Memon says about the possibility of rain, "It happens often in England, which benefits the fast bowlers. If this happens, then New Zealand will benefit because such conditions remain there too. India's batsmen are not used to it. They have to work hard."
Regarding the experience of New Zealand getting two Test matches, Vijay Lokpally says, "India's team is not such that there is no experience of playing in England. Now there is no such thing as before when there is no information about any new place."
Kane Williamson, wicketkeeper BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, and Kyle Jamieson did not play in the second Test against England. In such a situation, which team of New Zealand will play against India? Will there be some changes in the bowling as well?
In response to this question, Vijay Lokpally says, "New Zealand's bowling attack is fantastic. They pulled off the second test match in the best way. Nowhere in the whole match did it feel that England had the upper hand because they were playing at home otherwise New Zealand has done his homework well. Devon Conway scored a double century in his very first test match. Used Tim Southee, Grandhomme, and Jamieson, Wegener, and Santner have played. Williamson's return will make the team a lot stronger as they play the world One of the three best batsmen of all time."
Regarding opening batsman Devon Conway, Vijay Lokpally says that he has shown his strength by playing two Test matches. He looks like an old-fashioned player. Being a good batsman, he plays the ball based on its quality like the old batsmen.
He says, "He does not play shots as soon as he goes on the pitch. In his very first innings at Lord's, he scored a double century and in the first innings of the second Test also reached 80 runs in the first innings but then got out. "
Regarding the strong batting line-up of New Zealand's middle order, Vijay Lokpally says that Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls have all scored runs and Williamson's arrival will give more power to their batting.
After the victory in Australia, India went on to win the Test series from England on India's spin wicket but Cheteshwar Pujara, Shubman Gill, Ajinkya Rahane lost their form and Virat Kohli was also dismissed early several times.
At the same time, cricket critic Ayaz Memon says, "I expect tough matches and should not underestimate New Zealand in any way. The last time the Indian team went to New Zealand, Virat Kohli's team was defeated in both the Test matches. When Kane Williamson didn't play, Tim Southee and Watling didn't play either but still the ease with which they beat England shows that it is a very strong team."
How will the Indian batsmen play on the wicket helping the swing bowlers of England?
Regarding this, Vijay Lokpally says that changing the condition or situation will not do anything because, without players like Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Washington Sundar, one cannot think that it will be successful only in India.
He says, "Hopefully he will also score runs in England because they are playing there in the second half. The pitches help the batsmen in this season."
In England, Indian batsmen will be able to play their natural game whether it is the final of the World Test Championship or the second Test match to be played after that.
Regarding entering the field with four or five bowlers, Vijay Lokpally says, "It would be fine to go with three fast bowlers apart from Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. However, the team management may play one spinner and four fast bowlers, which Ravi is talking about. Shastri and Virat Kohli understand better."
At the same time, Ayaz Memon says that if the weather is heavy then the team can also play with one spinner and four fast bowlers.
So which spinner will play in such a situation?
Will R Ashwin, who has been in his top form for the last six months, or Jadeja, whose performance has improved a lot in the last two-three years, will be in front of the team management.
Vijay Lokpally says, "It is his own belief that playing New Zealand there will benefit him and when India has six batsmen in the team. He feels that he does not like New Zealand bowlers. If you can play then no one should claim that India is the best team in the world.
Ayaz Memon says that every arrow is present in India's quiver to beat New Zealand, be it batting or bowling, but how it uses it remains to be seen.
IF THE FINAL IS INCONCLUSIVE, BOTH THE TEAMS WILL BE CHAMPIONS.
According to ICC rules, if the final of the World Test Championship is a draw or a tie, then both India and New Zealand will be declared joint winners.
However, in case of wastage of time during the match, the ICC match referee will regularly inform the team and the media on how the safe day will be used. The safe day is 23 June.
This arrangement has been made as a safe day in case of any wastage of time due to any reason on the regular days of the finals to be held from 18th to 22nd June.
You must be logged in to post a comment.