World Test Championship: India and New Zealand set to lock heads in the maiden showpiece summit clash of the coveted World Test Championship
Skirmishes between India and New Zealand for the World Test Championship are underway at the moment with the sides applying the final touches to their squads.
Where New Zealand jetted off to England, the Indian squad is engulfed in a hard bio-bubble ahead of departing for England. In a bid to mitigate the adverse effects of Coronavirus, the BCCI is ensuring it leaves no stone unturned to ensure the Indian cricket team adheres to the COVID norms ingrained.
World Test Championship: This isn’t just a match for the both teams
For India, the showdown is more than just about lifting the prestigious WTC trophy. Defeated by New Zealand in the 2019 edition of the ODI World Cup and winless against the Black Caps in ICC events for 15 years, the Indians will be striving to overhaul their abysmal record.
However, it’s not going to be a straightforward task for India. New Zealand have their own aspirations as well to buoy them with the final offering the country an elusive chance to win it’s any first ICC championship.
India are on the top of test match ranking whilst New Zealand are snapping at their heels in second. The tie promises to make for an epic battle and in match intriguing rivalries.
NEW ZEALAND SQUAD FOR WTC FINAL
Setting eyes on the World Test Championship finale, New Zealand have named a 20-man power-packed squad to face India in the marquee event. Led by Kane Williamson, the squad includes three uncapped players – Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Jacob Duffy to face India in the final.
The same squad will also tour England, the Blackcaps have confirmed.
Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Tom Latham, Daryll Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, Doug Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Will Young
India’s squad for WTC Final and England Tests
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance)
Standby players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla.
World Test Championship Date
June 18, Friday Final at The Rose Bowl, Southampton 15:30 IST / 10:00 GMT.
Also Read: Richest Women Cricketers