According to former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook, Team India who were completely outplayed by New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC), were hard done by for not getting match-practice ahead of the big final.
New Zealand played a two-match Test series against England whereas India played just one intra-squad match and had a few net sessions before the WTC 2021 final at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Thus, Cook felt the Kiwis were better prepared in the Test match than Indians.
“I did say New Zealand was going to win that game purely down to the fact that they were match-hardened. Those two Test matches against England were such perfect preparation,” Cook said on the BBC's Tuffer and Vaughan Podcast.
“Intra-squad games, as good as your intention might be, it hasn't got the same intensity. The first hour might be really competitive but everything goes less and less and less. India was hard done by that way,” Cook added.
The southpaw then weighed in on India picking two spinners in their XI whereas Kane Williamson and Co. went with an all-pace attack which in the end proved to be more effective in the two as they bowled out the Indian batting unit for 217 and 170 in both innings respectively.
“They (India) got a bit confident in picking that side three days out before (the game) and playing two spinners where they pretty much knew it was going to rain for a lot of that game. So a lot of seam bowling was bowled. Even though their spinners are world-class, they got a little bit ahead of themselves there,” the 36-year-old said.
After the WTC final, Team India is scheduled to take on England in a five-match Test series slated to begin from 4 August with the first Test match to be played at Trent Bridge.
