WTC Final: VVS Laxman Reckons It's Advantage New Zealand As India Loses A Crucial Toss

Former Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman thinks that New Zealand has all the advantage in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship final. The play began on the second day of the decider in Southampton after the first day resulted in a washout due to persistent rains. With New Zealand winning the toss and electing to bowl in overcast conditions, VVS Laxman feels they have the upper hand.

New Zealand has gone ahead with four pacers, including Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson. The Kiwis’ bowling attack thwarted India’s batting line-up when they visited New Zealand in early 2020 for a two-match series. On the other hand, the Indian captain Virat Kohli went with three pacers and two spinners.

VVS Laxman acknowledged that India’s batting line-up undoubtedly has class and experience; however, he admitted that New Zealand has unleashed their strength, which is their pace-bowling department.

“There is talent, class and experience in India’s batting line-up. As far as the advantage is concerned, yes, New Zealand’s strength as Kane mentioned at the toss has been their fast bowling department. They have performed consistently and these conditions suit their fast bowling department,” Laxman told Star Sports.

The four quality fast bowlers and the challenge each one poses is different: VVS Laxman

The 134-Test veteran said that the four quality pacers can exploit the conditions perfectly, with all of them having different strengths in their repertoire. Simultaneously, Laxman believes that India has all the talent in their batting line-up to counter everything that the Black Caps throw.

“They have gone in with four quality fast bowlers and the challenge each one poses is different. They have a left-arm seamer in Boult, Southee takes the ball away from right-handernder. Jamieson gets that extra bounce and Wagner can bowl a lot short-pitched stuff. So, overall there is an advantage to New Zealand, but having said that India has quality and experience in their batting which can counter that advantage,” he added.

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