WTC Final – India have more impact players than New Zealand: Sunil Gavaskar

Indian great Sunil Gavaskar reckons India have more impact players than New Zealand ahead of the World Test Championship final. A lot of cricket experts believe that the Kiwis will hold the advantage as they are better prepared for the big match after playing two Test matches against England.

New Zealand dominated the first Test match against the hosts and went on to convincingly win the second game by eight wickets. Thus, they will be confident entering the World Test Championship final. However, the Little Master believes India will be hungry and fresh for the big match and they are going to come all guns blazing.

Sunil Gavaskar said while talking to Times of India, “There are some who think New Zealand have the advantage of being match ready (after their 1-0 series win in England). But then India will be match hungry and fresh and eager to get on the ground after a month of inaction. India has more impact players with both bat and ball and they should win this game.”

On the other hand, there are battles within the battles. Gavaskar picked four such battles which will be crucial in the World Test Championship final. The former legendary batsman feels Virat Kohli vs Kane Williamson, Trent Boult vs Rohit Sharma, Neil Wagner vs Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah vs Devon Conway will be battles to look out for in the big match.

“There are always battles within a battle. So clearly the one between Kohli and Williamson, the top two batsmen in Test cricket on a batting level, will be as crucial as the one between Trent Boult and Rohit Sharma or a Neil Wagner versus Cheteshwar Pujara and a Jasprit Bumrah versus Conway. That’s something to look forward to.”

New Zealand have got used to the conditions and they will have the advantage going into the WTC final. On the other hand, India have also played an Intra-squad match and it must have given them confidence before the big final.

The WTC Final will take place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.