I Don't Think India Will Be Underestimating New Zealand In ICC WTC Final: Ajit Agarkar

Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has said that New Zealand is no longer the underdogs they used to be and their performances in the recent ICC events have proven it. He also mentioned that India will not be underestimating them when the two teams meet in the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The final of the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) will be played between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton in England from June 18 onwards. The two teams finished at the top two spots in the WTC points table and many feel the neutral venue will be more helpful to Kane Williamson’s side than Virat Kohli’s team.

I Think The Underdog Tag Has Gone Away From New Zealand And India Will Not Underestimate Them: Ajit Agarkar

New Zealand, under Kane Williamson, has featured in two successive 50-over World Cup finals, reached the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-finals, and now, have made it to the ICC World Test Championship final. Ajit Agarkar mentioned how India lost to New Zealand on their tour in 2020 and also mentioned that the conditions will help New Zealand more than India in Southampton.

“I don’t think the Indian team would be guilty to underestimate them (New Zealand). I think the underdog tag has gone away from New Zealand. Every ICC tournament you look at okay, this is the first of its kind, Test championship every ICC tournament, whether it’s the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, the World Cup; they always turn up, they’re always there in the thereabout. If not the finals, then in the quarterfinals or the semi-finals.

And that’s a testament to their consistency. So, the underdog tag should go. Yes, there are, perhaps bigger names in some other teams and that’s why you count them as favorites. So, I don’t think India will be underestimating them,” Ajit Agarkar said on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

India Will Have To Play Well To Beat New Zealand: Ajit Agarkar

India had toured New Zealand in 2020 and while they whitewashed the home team 0-5 in the T20I series, they lost the three-match ODI series 1-2 and the two-Test series 0-2, as the Indian batsmen found it hard to negotiate the swing and movement generated by Kiwi pacers Trent Boult and Tim Southee.

“They beat India comprehensively well when India toured New Zealand and the conditions are likely to be very similar to what India got in New Zealand. So, India will have to play well to beat New Zealand in this contest,” Ajit Agarkar said.

New Zealand is already in England preparing for w two-Test series against the hosts, while India will reach England in early June.

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