Time: June 18, 15:00 IST
Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Pitch report
Ahead of the final, the Southampton pitch looked nice and dry under the blazing hot sun. During the final, however, the weather is forecasted to dampen our moods. No doubt the ball will move under the clouds, but this pitch also has a lot to offer to the spinners.
In case the rain too competes for the mace, the reserve day will be used up.
Teams
India have announced the playing XI, adding five bowlers in their armoury.
Playing XI for India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
The conditions demand a spinner, but at the cost of whom will Ajaz Patel play is a question only Williamson can answer at the toss.
Probable XI for New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner/Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult
Fantasy tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on performances in the World Test Championship, impact, and credit points.
Players to watch out for
All eyes will be on the captains: Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson. Going by form, Williamson is ahead in the race. In the championship, Williamson has scored 817 runs at 57 while Kohli averages 44 compared to his overall average of 52. We need to dig deeper, though: Williamson averages 26 and Kohli 36 in England.
India’s sensation, all things considered, has been Rishabh Pant in the longest format. He was smashing the ball to all the corners of the park in the practice matches and will look to do the same in the final. The pitch and conditions don’t matter to him. The only other Indian batter who has hit at a strike rate of more than 60 in the championship is Rohit Sharma. He has a reputation of scoring big hundreds once he gets his eye in.
While India have belligerent batters at their disposal, New Zealand like to play safe and disciplined cricket. The likes of Devon Conway, Tom Latham, and Henry Nicholls take their time, and it takes hard work to get rid of him. India, for that matter, have R Ashwin who has a knack for hunting down southpaws. He ranks No. 2 in ICC Test Rankings for bowlers.
Smart picks
Let’s move on to all-rounders – the heart of fantasy cricket. Kyle Jamieson is famous for his blistering start as a bowler, but he has been more than handy with the bat. In a mere 7 Tests, he has sniped up 39 wickets and scored 235 runs including a half-century. Pitted against him will be Ravindra Jadeja. He has taken 28 wickets and scored 5 half-centuries in 10 matches of the championship.
Ajinkya Rahane is not only the highest run-scorer for India in the championship but also has three fifties in 2 matches at Southampton. He may be out of form, but these numbers cannot be ignored.
Tim Southee likes feeding on the Indian batters. In 8 matches he has managed to take 39 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls.
Prediction
India’s only defeat in the championship came in New Zealand, losing 0-2. Otherwise, they have been spectacular – their best win being 1-2 in Australia. On the other hand, New Zealand lost 0-2 in Australia and their 3 of 5 series victories came at home against India, West Indies, and Pakistan.
By all means, India have more variety in their bowling – the very reason for their success in the past few years. New Zealand have quality seamers, but their spinners cannot match the magic and aura of India’s duo.
Who has the upper hand then? Only time will tell.
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