Legendary Indian Test batsman VVS Laxman has admitted that winning toss and bowling first is an advantage for New Zealand but India has enough depth in its batting to counter that advantage in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
On Saturday, June 19, the mega WTC 2021 Final between India and New Zealand got underway in Southampton after the opening day of the big Test match washed out.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to bowl first in the tough seaming conditions that will definitely suit his bowlers Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson, and Colin de Grandhomme.
India batting legend VVS Laxman admitted that Williamson and New Zealand have the advantage in the WTC Final by winning the toss and bowling first, but the Indian team also possesses the talent, class, and experience to counter that advantage.
Laxman said on Star Sports' show Cricket Live: “There is talent, class, and experience in India's batting line-up. As far as the advantage is concerned, yes, New Zealand's strength as Kane (Williamson) mentioned at the toss has been their fast bowling department. They have performed consistently and these conditions suit their fast bowling department.”
He added, “They have gone in with four quality fast bowlers, and the challenge each one poses is different. They have a left-arm seamer in Boult, Southee takes the ball away from the right-hander. Jamieson gets that extra bounce and Wagner can bowl a lot of short-pitched stuff.”
Laxman signed off by saying, “So, overall there is an advantage to New Zealand, but having said that India has quality and experience in their batting which can counter that advantage.”
