WTC Final IND V N Z - Curtain Raiser

#WTC21 Final

 

INDIA Vs NEW ZEALAND – World Test Championship Final - Curtain Raiser

 

So it’s here at last. Much awaited, much talked about first ever official World Test Championship FINAL  is here. Since the test cricket started in 1877, 144 years back between Australia and England. Though through all these years there were few teams , termed as uncrowned Test Champions like Don Bradman`s , Lloyd and Richards` West Indies in 1980`s . Steve Waugh`s Australia during 1990s.

But this ICC planned WTC is started in 2019.

India is taking on New Zealand at Southampton, England from 18^th to 22^nd June, 2021.

In spite of worldwide pandemic ICC and both countries` cricket boards, have managed to go on with this final match. With the help of restrictions like bio bubble, almost empty stadiums to name few.

India made to the final playing through 6 series in total, Winning 5 of them quite comprehensively in total 17 test matches, since August 2019., With  12 test matches wins, 4 losses and 1 draw.

Obviously most remarkable is the 4 tests`, series win in Australia 2-1, bouncing back from 0-1, in December 20 – January 21. One of the biggest turnaround in world cricket with 9 players not in the last 4<sup>th</sup> test who played the 1<sup>st</sup> one. But that`s all history now. Part of very proud one.

Here Team India is going to play with New Zealand, the only country to which they lost series 0-2 in February 2020., during this journey to the final.

India is going with 2 spinners n 3 fast bowlers, in playing eleven. Only bit of concern for team India is lack of any international match practice since last few months after series with England at home. On the other hand New Zealand is quite in groove with 1-0 series win over England in England itself this month only.If the match happens to take in typical English conditions it would be interesting to see how India`s top order - Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshvar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane tackle with world class New Zealand pace attack especially renowned pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult plus Wegner and very promising Kyle Jamison.

Let’s hope for very high quality cricket display on this world stage. With both teams having almost equal chance of winning. Let`s see who plays better cricket on 5 days and win maximum sessions. Team India of fiery Virat or New Zealand of Ice cool Kane Williamson.

 

- Vivek Ketkar