WTC Final: New Zealand a low-profile team, that’s an advantage for them – Dilip Vengsarkar
Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar has said that India are better team than New Zealand but the low-profile of Kane Williamson’s side and their two Test matches versus England before the World Test Championship (WTC) final might go against the Asian giants.
New Zealand, the second ranked Test team in the world, are facing England in a 2-Test series before facing India in the summit clash from June 18 in Southampton.
The same will help the Kiwis acclimatise to the English conditions according to Vengsarkar, who feels that India should also have played a couple of matches before locking horns with New Zealand. He further stated that the lack of match practice might hurt even in-form players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
“India is a better team and in great form. The advantage with New Zealand, it is a low-profile team, the thing is that they are getting to play two Test matches before the Test match (WTC final). So it is important… it is a slight advantage to New Zealand… because they have already played two Test matches before they start (of the WTC final), they are acclimatised to the conditions.
“What I feel is that India should have played games, you know matches, at least two-three games before the Test match (WTC), to get acclimatised to the conditions.
“It is advisable to play matches and spend time in the middle, both for batsmen as well as for bowlers. Match practice is ultimate, you may have net practice, you know a match stimulation, but playing a match in the middle and spending time in the middle always helps, when you play the big game,” Dilip Vengsarkar told PTI.
“Well, he (Kohli) has been around for a long time. He (Kohli) is one of the best batsmen in world cricket at the moment. Players like Virat or Rohit Sharma, they are world-class players, they take a lot of pride in their performance and pride in winning matches for India.
“It is a good thing and both are in very good form. But having said that, I think lack of match practise may hurt them in the first Test match that is what I feel,” he added.
Ahead of Team India’s departure to England, senior spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had said that India will adapt quickly and repeat their performance from the Australia tour.
“We are at least another week to 10 days away from even practising for the first time. Most of the players have not played cricket since the IPL was called off. So I think that is one of the biggest challenges, but once we go there I think the Indian team will adapt quickly and perform like we did in Australia,” Ashwin had said.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.