There is a lot of buzz around the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, slated to be played between India and New Zealand in Southampton from June 18-22.
See Also: ICC release 'playing conditions' for World Test Championship final
With less than three weeks to go for the marquee game, former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has said that the Virat Kohli-led side would not underestimate New Zealand in the inaugural WTC final.
Before that, the Kiwis will play England in two Tests at Lord’s (June 2-6) and Edgbaston (June 10-14).
"I hope not. I don't think the Indian team would be guilty to underestimate the Kiwis. I think the underdog tag has gone away from New Zealand. Every ICC tournament you look at - okay, this is the first of its kind, Test championship - every ICC tournament, whether it's the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, the World Cup; they always turn up, they're always there in the thereabout," said Agarkar on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'.
"If not the finals, then in the quarterfinals or the semi-finals. And that's a testament to their consistency. So, the underdog tag should go. Yes, there are, perhaps bigger names in some of the other teams and that's why you count them as favorites. So, I don't think India will be underestimating them. They beat India comprehensively well when India toured New Zealand and the conditions are likely to be very similar to what India got in New Zealand. So, India will have to play well to beat New Zealand in this contest," he added.
Earlier this week, ICC said that the Indian cricket team will arrive in UK on June 3 after serving 14 days of isolation in the homeland.
“Upon landing, they will proceed directly to the on-site hotel at the Hampshire Bowl where they will be tested again before commencing a period of managed isolation,” ICC’s official release said.
The governing body further said that regular COVID-19 tests will be carried out during the quarantine period while players’ activity will be allowed in a gradually increasing manner after each round of negative testing, moving from exercise in isolation to small group and then larger squad activity.
ICC has also confirmed that the Kiwis will enter the bio-bubble for WTC final on June 15.
“The New Zealand team are already in the UK ahead of their bilateral series against England and the team will transition from the ECB bio-secure environment into the World Test Championship Final bubble on 15 June and will be subject to regular testing prior to and post arrival in Southampton.”
