It Is Going To Be A Challenging Final For Team India Against New Zealand: VVS Laxman

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman feels that it will be a tough challenge for the Virat Kohli-led No.1 ranked Test side in the world during the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

Team India will lock horns with the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the summit clash of the World Test Championship at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton between June 18-22.

And, with the conditions expected to favor seam and swing, VVS Laxman feels that whichever side that bats well will win the final.

“It is going to be a challenging final against New Zealand because the conditions will suit the New Zealand team. It will be helping the seam bowlers; there will be a lot of swing and seam movement on offer, and I feel whichever side bats well will eventually win that final,” said VVS Laxman on Star Sports.

The veteran cricketer said that the No1 ranked Test team has got the depth and experience in their batting line-up and it will be a great opportunity for Virat and co to lift the inaugural World Test Championship.

“India have got depth and experience in their batting line-up, and I will definitely back India, and it’s a great opportunity for India and Virat Kohli to lift the ICC World Test Championship Trophy,” added VVS Laxman.

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The inaugural ICC World Test Championship finalists!

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‘India deserve to be in the final’- VVS Laxman

“It’s a great initiative by the ICC because over so many years, especially in my career, I never played a World Cup, and I played a lot of Test matches. This is an opportunity for the Test cricketers to get a trophy in their hands,” said Laxman.

The Virat Kohli-led unit was easily the best side in the two-year ICC World Test Championship cycle. Barring a hiccup in New Zealand where they lost 0-2, the Virat Kohli-led unit won easily against South Africa, Bangladesh, and England on home soil besides beating West Indies and Australia in their own den.

Laxman signed off by saying that the Men in Blue deserve to play the final given the manner in which they have played in the last two years.

“I think this is the perfect start and great start for Team India also because at one time they were dominating in all the series they played except the series in New Zealand, but suddenly because of Covid, the rules changed. But the way they played against England, they deserve to be in the final,” added VVS Laxman.

Also Read: ICC Confirms Southampton As The Host For The World Test Championship Final