If You Want To Compare India And New Zealand Squad, We Have Covered All The Bases: Parthiv Patel

Former India keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has given a strong indication of India reigning supreme over New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. Southampton will host the inaugural final of the ICC World Test Championship set to occur on the 18th of June. Parthiv Patel believes that India’s depth gives them the upper hand over New Zealand.

India’s depth has been evident in their recent series victories against Australia and England as they managed to win them despite a plethora of injuries. But the Virat Kohli-led 20-man squad sees the return of several first-choice cricketers as they aim to capture the ultimate prize in Test cricket. Nevertheless, New Zealand, who was the first team to reach the final should not be underestimated as they beat India in a two-Test series in early 2020.

Parthiv Patel believes that India’s squad looks comparatively stronger than New Zealand’s since they have got the best fast bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma. The retired cricketer highlighted that the men in blue have Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav in the reserves, affirming their depth.

“I think it looks a really strong squad. If you want to compare India and New Zealand squad, we have covered all the bases. If you talk about fast bowlers, we have got Bumrah, Ishant and Shami. If either of them is not fit, then there is Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, enough depth in the squad,” Patel told on the Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

Imagine KL Rahul not finding a place in this Test squad: Parthiv Patel

Parthiv Patel remains equally confident of the national team’s batting unit, backing them to deliver the goods in the English conditions. The 36-year old believes that all the batsmen have the runs in England and the team looks strong enough that even a classy player like KL Rahul cannot bag a spot.

“If you talk about batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant. There are proper batsmen who can bat well in England. Everyone has got runs and there is a spare batsman in KL Rahul, imagine KL Rahul not finding a place in this Test squad. So, how strong this squad could be,” he added.

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