Former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Danny Morrison on Thursday (June 17) picked India as favorites for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against the Kiwis, given their remarkable and historic Test series win in Australia earlier this year.
He also recalled the 2019 World Cup semi-final where Team India's batting line-up went down in front of the dangerous New Zealand bowling attack and if this repeats in Southampton, things would be changed in no time in the WTC 2021 Final between the two teams.
However, the former cricketer admitted that the Indian cricket team hasn’t played well enough in England in recent years, but they have wonderful depth and balance in their side to win the WTC Final.
Morrison told CricketNext, “India starts as a favorite because of what they achieved in Australia. Yes, they haven’t played well enough in England in recent years but in terms of sheer confidence, they are slightly ahead of New Zealand as they have wonderful depth and balance in their side. I am not backing off because of a little bit of more dynamism in the Indian team but the extra X factor is with India.”
He added, “You remember the World Cup 2019 semi-final in Manchester? The much-vaunted Indian batting lineup has gone boom boom in seconds! If the bowlers can found mojo, anything can happen in just a few overs. Man for man they are a match for the Indian side.
All you need is lady luck a bit in English conditions which change dramatically. It is one of those things as there are so many variables in Test cricket.”
As India captain Virat Kohli never lifted the ICC trophy as captain, Morrison believes that the WTC 2021 Final is a great opportunity for the dashing cricketer to break the jinx by winning the World Test Championship Mace against New Zealand in Southampton.
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He signed off by saying, “Like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat is right up there as he is so hungry and passionate. Being the captain in all three formats for the country and then the duty of the IPL all the time is not easy. We can sermonize but it’s not a judgment call for me. He is so intense but this WTC final is a two horse race and Kohli has got a great opportunity for him to lift a global trophy.”
(With News18 Inputs)
