India and New Zealand will square off against each other in the WTC final from 18th June.
Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar said that even though New Zealand cricket team have the best preparation possible for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, Team India will be far from underdogs in the clash.
Both Team India and New Zealand will clash in the final of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, to be played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18.
Team India played an intra-squad practice match in their lead-up to the WTC final while New Zealand is well prepared, after having crushed England in the second Test of the two-match series in Edgbaston and winning the series 1-0.
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However, with only one day left for the much-anticipated clash, many fans, as well as pundits from across the globe, feel that Team India lacks practice and New Zealand having played two-Test series against England will give them the edge over Virat Kohli-led side.
In an interaction with CNN-News 18, batting great Sachin Tendulkar said that India is not the underdogs as they’ve played outstanding cricket over the last two years to reach the final of WTC. He added that even with the plethora of injuries during the Australia tour they delivered which reflects the kind of bench strength they have.
“I don’t agree that India are the underdogs. We have played some terrific cricket to get here (In Australia) Almost 10-11 players were not available and the guys who were on the bench were asked to play.
“Couple of them were actually practicing bowlers, they ended up playing and they delivered. That speaks volumes of our bench strength. How we’ve been able to deliver that knockout punch in Brisbane has been truly remarkable. So, by no means I would say we are underdogs,” Sachin Tendulkar told CNN-News 18.
Tendulkar admitted that Team India didn’t have enough match practice going ahead into the WTC final the New Zealand cricket team has had the best preparation possible.
“Yes, we haven’t had enough match practice. New Zealand have had the best preparation possible with a two-Test series (in England) before this game. But that’s how the game is and we have to accept what has come. I would focus on what we need to do next and not what people have been thinking because I don’t think that’s right,” he said.
Earlier some reports were suggesting that the pitch for the WTC final could have bounce and carry. Referring to the same, Sachin Tendulkar said that hanging pace and bounce would mean more opportunity to score runs. He added that both the teams would struggle when the ball begins to seam and swing.
“If I was asked to play on a pitch that has bounce and pace, I would feel that the good length space has been reduced for fast bowlers. If they falter on the shorter side, I would get under the ball and play maybe over slips or gully or over point.
“And if they falter on the fuller side, then I have the chance to play them on the rise. I would say when it starts swinging and seaming around that’s when the problem is and that’s a problem for any side,” he said.
Sachin Tendulkar further lauded Team India’s bowling attack saying that they are a formidable pack attack. He credited Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun for working hard with bowlers and making them lethal.
“I don’t like comparing generations. We have had some great bowlers in the past. With this generation, the difference is they are all playing together at the same time. They all complement each other. Ishant Sharma is tall, Jasprit Bumrah is awkward, Mohammed Shami is skiddy. We’ve got Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj too.
“We have a variety of bowlers. They are different and when you put them together, they are a formidable attack. They have been able to deliver. They have been able to work together as a unit. Bharat Arun has been their coach for few years and he has delivered. He has done a wonderful job,” he concluded.