The World Test Championship (WTC) is all set for a grand finish. India and New Zealand will be squaring off at the Rose Bowl, Southampton from June 18-22. The top two teams both in WTC and ICC rankings will be looking forward to grabbing that coveted prize. New Zealand is already stationed in England to play a 2-match Test series. This surely gives the Kiwis an edge over India. They will also find the conditions similar to their liking in England. Experts have already touted New Zealand to be runaway winners in this contest. But one can’t ever write India off. They bounce back the hardest when you least expect them. Stay with us to know Reasons Why India Can Win The WTC Final
StumpsandBails looks at 4 Reasons Why India Can Win The WTC Final:
#4 The solid top-order:
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will be India’s first-choice openers going into the finals. The Australian Test series was supposed to be their trial by fire. To their credit, the openers did fairly well without ever being spectacular. Gill in fact set the platform for India’s historic win in the 4th Test with a scintillating knock. India’s recent travails against the swinging ball has been due to the meek surrender of the top order. But with Rohit Sharma and Gill at the helm with Cheteshwar Pujara to follow. Expect India to put up a brave front against Trent Boult and Tim Southee.
#3 Quality bowling lineup:
India have a realistic chance of going into the finals with 5 bowlers. They can play 4 pacers and 1 spinner or 3 pacers and 2 spinners depending upon the pitch and weather conditions. The 5 pronged bowling attack will relentlessly challenge the Kiwis and won’t allow them to run away from the contest at any given moment. We don’t think there is a better bowling lineup than the combination of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja in the world at this moment. Not to forget India has Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and Axar Patel in the reserves.
#2 The batting depth
A fit-again Ravindra Jadeja brings in the much-needed balance to the squad. His batting has improved by leaps and bounds in the last couple of years. He will be an ideal fit at number 7. India will in all probability play Ashwin at 8. This gives India 8 batting options. It is a luxury India seldom had when they played overseas. If India play Shardul Thakur as the third seamer, then their batting depth becomes even more lethal. India surely have a happy problem of plenty to choose from.
#1 The confidence and belief of this Indian team
India won the 4-match Test series against Australia 2-1 after suffering a stunning collapse in the 2nd innings of the first Test. They came roaring back into the series, fighting all odds to notch up a special series win. India again overcame a 0-1 deficit to eventually win the series 3-1 against England at home. They are currently a team who are high on confidence and self-belief. India can bounce back from difficult stages in the game. They will back themselves to overcome “favourites” New Zealand in the grand WTC finale.
Also read: “Kohli Will Score A Century Against NZ In WTC Finals”- Former Pakistani Batsman Salman Butt
