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Former Indian pacer Ajit Agarkar thinks India can face challenges in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final. He believes the opposition’s fast bowling attack and the conditions in Southampton could help New Zealand in WTC Final.
While on Star Sports show GAME PLAN, Agarkar points out the challenges India could face against the Blackcaps.
“It (New Zealand pace attack) has certainly got a lot of variety. I mean it is because you look at someone like (Kyle) Jamieson who is a tall guy and will pose a different challenge,” Agarkar said.
He then highlighted New Zealand’s seasoned pace duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee, he said the duo has variations and can make the struggle for Indian batsman.
Former Indian quoted, “Boult and Southee both will bowl, one delivery coming into you, one delivery going away from you, as a right-hander. And then (Neil) Wagner, when nothing is happening, and you know, everything seems flat, he comes and does something and has been doing it on a regular basis. So the challenges are a bit different.”
Agarkar said that the conditions in Hampshire Bowl are going to be more familiar for the Kiwi. He added, “Also what works in their favor is the condition, because you are playing in England, it is almost like what you get in New Zealand. So that makes it a little bit easier with that Duke ball which does swing around. So the challenges are a lot.”
“More so because India has not had any Test cricket in recent time, not a Test cricket away from home since the Australia tour. Australian conditions are completely different. So that’s the biggest challenge. And that’s why I feel the preparations (have) got to be the key,” he said.
The much-awaited game is scheduled to be held in Southampton from June 18.
After reading all these Indian fans might’ve gotten scared but, India bounced back incredibly to register Test series victory against both Australia and England at home, and is one of the world’s top sides at the present.
Speaking on Indian team performance in recent years, Agarkar said, “I think a couple of things, resilience or just belief in your ability or in your own team. Look at the England series at home, we expected India to win. Yes, the conditions suit their (India) wicket or their spin bowling, but they lost the first Test comprehensively. They came back and beat England really well in the next three Tests.”
“Look at Australia (series), they (India) lost that first Test, bowled out for what 36 — losing the host of your first team players, whether it’s your best batsman in the team, Virat Kohli, your best bowler in the team, Mohammad Shami, those sort of losses,” he added.
“By the end of the series, you had a Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan, Mohammad Siraj bowling for you, against a full-strength Australian team and you still managed to find a way to win in those situations. So, the depth in that team — even though there was not a lot of experience — the guys that came in had enough belief that they could turn up. That’s been India’s strength,” concluded Ajit Agarkar on the show.