The heavyweights India and New Zealand are all set to lock horns in the inaugural WTC final 2021. Both the teams have been consistent enough to finish in the top-2 spots in the World Test Championship Point table 2021. With a lot at stake, it would be a cracker of a contest as the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship draws to its close with a much-anticipated India vs New Zealand clash.
While India will be back playing the longest format after a gap of nearly three months, New Zealand is currently featuring in a two-match Test series against England. Many have argued if this would give the Kiwis an edge over India in the WTC final, India skipper Virat Kohli reckons that both teams will begin on equal terms in the Final. India has a strong starting XI while the BlackCaps will hope to prosper in home-like conditions at Southampton.
All things considered, cricket fans are in for a riveting cricket for the course of five days. Both the teams would leave no stone unturned in aiming to secure the maiden ICC World Test Championship trophy 2021. Here’s a closer look at India vs New Zealand WTC Final 2021 in detail:
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Ind vs NZ WTC Final 2021 Schedule & Match Timings
The IND vs NZ WTC Final 2021 will be a five-day fixture starting from June 18. The match will be played at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. ICC has also declared a reserve day on June 23 to compensate for the lost overs for the final. The live streaming for the WTC Final begins at 03:30 PM IST (10 AM GMT/ 11 AM local time).
WTC final Schedule
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IND vs NZ head to head record in Test Cricket
India and New Zealand have faced each other on 59 occasions in Test cricket. India has had the upper hand in the Head-to-head record against New Zealand. However, recently both the Test teams have played some close contests.
Matches: 59
India won: 21
New Zealand won: 12
Draw: 26
NR/Tie: 0
IND vs NZ WTC Final 2021 Live Telecast & Streaming Details
India and New Zealand WTC final match will be broadcasted live on the Star Sports Network in India. Viewers can watch the live-action through the online medium of Star Sports Network as well. The match will be streaming live on Disney+ Hotstar across five languages –English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu. Hotstar will be live streaming the entire match on its online interface for cricket enthusiasts outside the television coverage.
In New Zealand, Sky Sports will broadcast the live coverage for the WTC final across all five days. As per local media reports, Sky Sport’s commentary team for the ICC WTC Final will include New Zealanders Ian Smith, Mike Hesson, and Laura McGoldrick.
How to Watch IND vs NZ WTC Final Live Cricket Match
India: Star Sports Network
New Zealand: Sky Sports NZ
England: Sky Sports
South Africa: SuperSport and SABC
Australia: Fox Sports
Bangladesh: Gazi TV
USA, Canada: Willow
Caribbean: Flow Sports
How to Watch IND vs NZ WTC Final 2021 Live Stream Free?
The live streaming of the WTC final 2021 can be accessed on the JioTV app or Airtel TV for free. You can download these apps to get live streaming action for the IND vs NZ WTC final 2021 for free on your smartphones, laptops and tablet screens.
IND vs NZ 2021 Test Squads
India squad
ICYMI – A look at #TeamIndia's squad for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final and the five-match Test series against England. 👇
Standby players: Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla pic.twitter.com/17J050QVT3
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 7, 2021
BCCI announced a 20-man India squad for the WTC final and the India tour of England 2021. Looking at the overseas pitch conditions as well as opposition strengths, the national selectors decided to go with a strong bowling attack coupled with a robust middle-order unit.
The Test squad marked the return of Mohammad Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hanuma Vihari after missing the previous home series against England. The regular skipper Virat Kohli will lead the Indian cricket team from the front.
Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed. Shami, Mohammed. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (Wk)
New Zealand squad
Squad News | @cricketwgtninc 21-year-old all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and @OtagoVolts swing-bowler Jacob Duffy have earned their maiden call-ups to the BLACKCAPS Test squad for the upcoming tour of England.
Details | https://t.co/X40v0AejeL #ENGvNZ pic.twitter.com/G9YNTn9Xnn
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) April 7, 2021
The New Zealand cricket announced a 20-member squad featuring the likes of experienced top-order batsman Ross Taylor along with the wicket-keeper batsman BJ Watling. Interestingly, the rookies drew the biggest spotlight as three-uncapped players earned a maiden Test call-up for the New Zealand tour of England 2021.
The new recruits in the form of Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy have been impressive in the domestic circuit in New Zealand. As a result, they have been rewarded for their exceptional skills. Talking about the pace department, the team management includes the likes of Trent Boult and in-form Kylie Jamieson along with veteran Tim Southee.
New Zealand's 15-man squad for World Test Championship (WTC) Final Against India:
Kane Williamson (C), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Will Young.
