Indian skipper Virat Kohli said the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand should not be the sole factor in deciding the best Test team in the world at present. India, who finished on top of the WTC points table in the group stages, will take on New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the Test Championship in Southampton.
Ahead of the all-important summit clash which gets underway on Friday (September 18), Indian skipper Kohli addressed a press conference from Southampton. Kohli insisted the final would not change the fact that India have been one of the best teams in the longest format over the last few years.
Kohli said the best Test team in the world can’t be decided over a period of five days and the tremendous performances of the Indian side cannot be undone on the basis of the final. Team India will be battling for their first major ICC trophy since 2013 when they go up against the Kiwis in the final.
“If you are talking about Test team and deciding the best team based on one match over a period of five days, that is not the reality. This for us is just another Test match,” said Kohli.
“The one-off Test is not going to reflect the truth. But the reality is what have done over the last 4-5 years. We are focussing on our processes. We are not here for a one-off Test. We are here for six Tests and the first Test begins tomorrow,” he added.
Kohli was also asked during the presser if he considers the World Test Championship final the biggest game of his international career so far. The 32-year-old. who was part of the Indian team that lifted the 2011 ODI World Cup under MS Dhoni, downplayed the comparisons between the WTC and World Cup and said it will be no different for the players than what it was like in their first Test.
“We won the 2011 World Cup and it was a great moment, but cricket goes on and life goes on. So yes, it is an occasion that has to be enjoyed, but it is no different for us from the first Test all of us played. Mindset remains the same,” said the Indian skipper.
India have already confirmed their final 15 for the much-awaited final and are expected to announce the playing XI ahead of the summit clash tomorrow. The conditions in Southampton are currently overcast due to clouds and slight rain. It remains to be seen if India will head into the final with both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in the XI.
