Conditions Are As Potent For New Zealand As They Are For Us, Virat Kohli On New Zealand’s Advantage Of Playing Two Tests Before ICC WTC Final

Indian captain Virat Kohli and head coach Ravi Shastri addressed the journalists in a virtual press conference ahead of their departure for the UK tour which consists of the ICC WTC final and the five-Test series against England.

Meanwhile, New Zealand is currently engaged in the first Test of the two-match series against England at Lord’s in London. This might prove to be very crucial for Kane Williamson’s side as they would have a much better know-how of the conditions as they practice outdoors at the venue of the ICC WTC final- Rose Bowl in Southampton.

It Is All In The Head, We All Know What The Conditions Are Like In England: Virat Kohli

During the presser, India captain Virat Kohli was asked to comment on India’s lack of preparation and whether their opponents New Zealand will have an edge over India after playing two Tests against England.

Kohli played down the suggestions that the conditions will favor Kane Williamson and his team and said that it is all in the head.

“In the past we have landed in places three days prior in proper schedule and have had a hell of a series. It is all in the head. It is not the first time we are playing in England. We all know what the conditions are like. We don’t have any issues with even four practice sessions heading into the game.

Even if you are used to conditions but don’t enter the field in right frame of mind, you are going to nick that first ball and find it tough to take wickets. We are absolutely sure what we can do as a team and we all have played in England before this as well. Everyone has had experience of playing in England,” Kohli said at the presser on Wednesday.

We Are Going To Board That Flight Knowing That We Are On Equal Terms: Virat Kohli

On being asked if the swing and seam at Southampton will create problems for India, Kohli asked that they will arrive in England knowing that they will go into the ICC WTC final on equal footing.

“Conditions are as potent for New Zealand as they are for us. Australian conditions should have favoured Australia but we beat them twice in two series. It is how you look at the situation. We are going to board that flight knowing that we are on equal terms and whichever team performs well session by session and hour by hour will win the Test,” said the Indian skipper.

The ICC WTC final between India and New Zealand will be played from June 18-22 with 23 being the reserve day.

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