“Don’t board the flight if you think New Zealand have an extra edge in the finals” – Virat Kohli

In his press conference just before departing to England to take on New Zealand in the final of the World Test Championship, Virat Kohli barked like a general. “Don’t board the flight if you think New Zealand have an extra edge in the finals,” he declared.

Though the statement was directed to the media, it may as well have been a message for the men in blue to take note of. Their four-month tour of England will feature the all-important World Test Championship Final as well as the five-match Test series against England.

Asserting in his natural competitive streak, Kohli further added, “We’re going to board that flight knowing that we’re at equal terms with New Zealand.”

New Zealand are already in England where they are taking on the home side in the first of the two-match Test series. The last time India took on the Blackcaps, they were humiliated in a two-match Test series.

Because of these factors, several people believe that the Kiwis hold the upper hand in the final. Kohli, however, rubbished those claims.

In the past we’ve landed three days prior to the schedule and had a great tour. Conditions are as potent for New Zealand as they are for us. Conditions in Australia should’ve favoured them too. It’s about how you look at things. It’s all in the head,” he stressed.

However, playing in the English conditions are a whole different ball-game. From adjusting to the weather and how quickly it changes to adapting to the Duke balls on surfaces that don’t shy from doing bits, England can prove to be an arduous challenge for anyone in the world. Besides that, India are also slow starters – they lost the first Tests in both the recent series against Australia and England.

“It’s not the first time we’re touring England. We have been there and played there,” Kohli reminded the press.

“Even if you are used to the conditions, if you don’t enter the field in the right frame of mind, you are going to nick that first ball or you are going to find it tough to pick wickets. All that matters is that we have the required hunger and desire,” the Indian skipper concluded.