Picture Credit: AP
The Indian team has reached Southampton earlier this month for the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. Team India have successfully completed their 3-day soft quarantine after ECB relaxed the quarantine protocols upon BCCI’s request. With that, Kohli-led India has begun with their practice and training from Sunday for the WTC final.
Former Indian cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar expressed his thoughts on the WTC final. He feels that though lack of match practice before the World Test Championship final is a big worry for Virat Kohli and Co.
Lack of match practice may hurt world-class players – Vengsarkar
The former cricketer feels that though India is the better side, lack of match practice may hurt them in the WTC final. “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," Vengsarkar said.
Vengsarkar further went on to add that Kane Williamson’s New Zealand will have an edge over India given that they are playing the 2-match Test series against England ahead of the 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," reckoned Vengsarkar.
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The former Indian cricketer also opined that just like the Kiwis, the Indian team should have played at least 2-3 matches ahead of the World Test Championship final.
Lack of practice, not an issue- Kohli
In a pre-departure press conference, Virat Kohli spoke up on the issue of lack of match practice. The Indian skipper said that lack of practice wasn't such an issue as almost all the players in the side have past experience of playing in the UK.
“In the past, we have landed in places three days prior even in a proper schedule and have had a hell of series and hell of competition, so it is all in the head," Kohli added.