The battleground is set for the world to witness the culmination of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC). From June 18, the two cricket giants, India and New Zealand will lock horns against each other for the prestigious crown of the inaugural WTC final at Rose Bowl in Southampton. In the meanwhile, the prediction is out with opinions from the cricket fraternity as the favorites to win the IND vs NZ WTC final 2021.
Australian pacer Pat Cummins is the latest to put his views forth on which team will be the favorites to clinch the ICC WTC final 2021. While having an interaction with his fans on YouTube, he asserted that the weather conditions will most likely favor the Kiwis compared to the Virat Kohli-led Indian team.
New Zealand will have an edge in the WTC Final 2021
“It is going to be a good match. I think there has been a lot of rain in England from what I have seen in the news. I think, in terms of conditions, it is going to be closer to New Zealand conditions,” stated Cummins on YouTube. However, he abstained from making a prediction for the WTC final.
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“We have seen both teams not having played Test matches for a couple of months. So, it is a one-off. Anything can happen. I will sit on the fence,” said the Australian speedster, who has recently announced an affluent sum of money to tackle rising cases of lethal Covid in India.
“If I say anything, the conditions should probably suit New Zealand more than India, ” he added later.
Cummins leads the wickets tally in WTC 2021
At present, Pat Cummins holds the title of leading wicket-taker in the WTC. In 14 Tests encounters, he has picked 70 wickets. Ravichandran Ashwin is the second on the list with a remarkable 67 wickets in 13 Tests. He is more likely to supersede the Australian pacer in the upcoming showdown against the Black Caps.
Cummins expressed his remorse for missing out from WTC but he also contemplated that WTC is a revolutionary step in world cricket.
“It is annoying Covid-19 made it a bit more difficult but it is great. I really enjoyed the whole aspect of it. Each series stands for something more than just the series itself. I really liked the (WTC) format. Unfortunately, we missed the series. So, we didn't have the six series leading to the final but I do enjoy the concept,” stated Cummins.
He also reminisced about the historic defeat at Gabba at the hands of a young and inexperienced Indian team that cost the series. Cummins was last seen on the field while playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021. The IPL performance was no resemblance to his stature. He has managed to grab nine wickets in seven appearances. However, IPL 2021 was halted midway and has been suspended for an indefinite period due to the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in India.
