The conditions in Southampton might suit New Zealand better in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final but former India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar feels team India will enjoy an edge over Kane Williamson & Co. Vengsarkar believes India have a better side compared to New Zealand with a quality batting and bowling attack.
While India are currently placed at the top spot in the ICC Test rankings, New Zealand are at the second spot. The top two teams will lock horns in what is expected to be a blockbuster of a final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Despite New Zealand gaining some advantage over India by playing a two-match Test series against England currently, Vengsarkar is giving ‘all-round’ India an upper hand.
“If you compare the New Zealand team to the Indian team, man to man, India looks the better team,” Vengsarkar told Khaleej Times.
“Of course, Trent Boult is a world-class bowler and Kane Williamson is a world-class batsman. But India is a more all-round team. We have got quality spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja), we have got quality fast bowlers (Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj) and quality batters as well,” he explained.
With Kohli not in the best of form ahead of the final, a lot will depend on the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant, Rohit, and Ajinkya Rahane among others.
“There are talented players in the (Indian) team. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, they are world-class cricketers. But it is also important for other players to chip in, you know, because you can’t depend only on two players. If you are playing Test match cricket, everybody has to contribute,” said Vengsarkar.
