(Info4now)– As all Kiwis were ready to give a fairy tale finish to Daniel Vettori in the WC 2015 Final, a champion of straight bowling delivered another dream delivery to pick McCullum very early. Mitchell Starc started thus and New Zealand remained a runners-up. 2019 was more acute as they lost the final in a super over, even when the super over was also tied. Cool Williamson has now the chance to recover from that hangover, but not without the best display of spirit. For Kohli, it’s the need of the same edge. As Amir led the attack, Kohli and company surrendered to Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy final in 2017. And again when the pressure game was against New Zealand in the semi final of 2019 WC, Indian batting collapsed.
Far ahead of the opposition in the brilliance of test competition, India must hope to beat NZ at Southampton. In the last few years, India played a number of good games, bests were in Australia. With Ishant Sharma, Shami and Bumrah in the attack, India have every chance to get NZ bowl out. For New Zealand, it is a fine situation as they will play on a comfortable track. The wicket might suit them better. With the presence of class players, they picked 2000 Champions Trophy and many years passed to touch the same level as they are heading towards WTC Final 2021.
WTC Final 2021 Preview: India vs New Zealand
India have still not experimented well with the opening pair. Subhman Gill has just two innings to prove his place. I don’t know whether Subhman Gill is an easy pick for India. At Ageas Bowl, against Southee and Boult, it’s not easy at all. Rohit Sharma needs no introduction. He is a champion and is in a golden touch, but very much vulnerable to top quality swing at the start. To get set will be his key target. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli are the finest campaigners for India and will be the prime targets of the opposition. Inconsistent Rahane, game changer Pant and experienced Jadeja to follow them.
If the wicket gets drier, Ashwin will be handy with a fair amount of bounce. Ishant Sharma and Shami will test the Kiwi top orders. Bumrah is wicket to wicket. Jadeja’s inclusion is tricky as New Zealand have fair numbers of right-hand batsmen.
If Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult and Southee make playing XI for New Zealand, the other premier bowler has to qualify. Is Kyle Jamieson an easy pick? If the answer is yes, I have a problem. I’ll prefer Wagner to Jamieson, the latter being more wicket to wicket. Besides, his bowling action is different from the other two seamers.
In respect of batting, New Zealand also have some great names. In the middle Kane Williamson, Ros Taylor have to play longer innings. How the all-round performance of Colin de Grandhomme works in the WTC Final 2021 is important for the Kiwis.
To Conclude
A sound India reached the final as the best finalist, while New Zealand got past all to be the other finalist very silently. Now if we have a close look at the probable XXII of the contest, it’s just fifty-fifty. At Ageas Bowl, the ball turns and therefore, the spinners might get help apart from the fast bowling architects. Taking the vitality of the wicket into account, we expect a result-oriented contest.