Former India pacer Ajit Agarkar has warned Virat Kohli-led side to not underestimate Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the upcoming final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). Agarkar, who is one of the most successful fast bowlers for India in the 50-over format, feels that the Black Caps won’t be entering the summit clash of the Test Championship as underdogs.
After securing the top two spots in the league stage of the Test Championship, India and New Zealand will battle for the elusive ICC trophy in the summit clash next month. Speaking ahead of the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand, Agarkar explained how New Zealand have ditched the underdog tag by entering the final of the Test Championship.
Agarkar was speaking exclusively on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected when the former Team India bowling all-rounder opined that Kohli & Co. should not underestimate the Black Caps in the WTC final. Agarkar also termed the Kohli-led Team India as the favorites to lift the famous trophy at Southampton.
“I hope not. I don’t think the Indian team would be guilty to underestimate them (The Kiwis). I think the underdog tag has gone away from New Zealand. Every ICC tournament you look at – okay, this is the first of its kind, Test championship – every ICC tournament, whether it’s the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, the World Cup; they always turn up, they’re always there in the thereabout,” Agarkar said.
“If not the finals, then in the quarterfinals or the semi-finals. And that’s a testament to their consistency. So, the underdog tag should go. Yes, there are, perhaps bigger names in some of the other teams and that’s why you count them as favorites,” Agarkar added.
The final of the World Test Championship will be contested at The Rose Bowl in Southampton from June 18 to June 22. In the build-up to the summit clash between the top two Test teams, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday had announced the playing conditions for the WTC showdown at Southampton.
“So, I don’t think India will be underestimating them. They beat India comprehensively well when India toured New Zealand and the conditions are likely to be very similar to what India got in New Zealand. So, India will have to play well to beat New Zealand in this contest,” Agarkar concluded.
