Team India was outplayed by New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC), the Indian batsmen struggled to get going as the conditions at Southampton were bowling friendly and the Kiwi pacers made full use of them.
With India scheduled to play a five-match Test series against England slated to begin from 4th August, former England skipper Sir Alastair Cook reckons the subcontinental giants will be in trouble if the ball moves around in the upcoming Test series.
“India is a great side. England will always fancy their chances more if that ball moves. If the conditions are like that in the month of August with moisture around, England will fancy bowling to that Indian side,” Cook said on BBC Test Match Special Podcast episode.
“Yes, they are a world-class batting unit. But their big weakness is the ball that moves if it nips. You always fancy your chances against them,” he added.
WTC 2021: Sir Alastair Cook says that India was hard done by their under preparedness vs NZ
The left-hand batsman then talked about how Virat Kohli and Co. “got a bit ahead of themselves” as they went in with two spinners over an extra seamer despite overcast conditions.
“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.
Cook also talked about Team India was underprepared for the big final against New Zealand as they played just one intra-squad match whereas the Kiwis played a two-match Test series against England.
“I did say New Zealand were 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.
“Intra-squad games, as good as your intention might be, it hasn’t got the same intensity. India was hard done by that way,” the southpaw signed off.
