'The Flip Side': Gavaskar Explains How India Could Beat NZ In WTC Final Despite Being Alien To English Conditions
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has come up with a flip side of the popular argument that New Zealand will be favorites going into the World Test Championship(WTC) Final since they will be acclimatized to the conditions after playing two test matches against England.
"The pessimists are suggesting that playing two Tests before the WTC finals will be a huge plus for the Kiwis as they will be match ready and better acclimatized to the conditions," Gavaskar wrote in his column in The Telegraph.
Gavaskar, on the 'flip side', believes that if New Zealand loses the two matches against England, their morale would get low and there could be possible injuries in the team as well.
"The flip side of playing those two Tests is that New Zealand could get beaten and thus be low on morale when they take on India and there could be some injuries and niggles to some of their key players which can happen in early June in England," he added.
The India batting legend further added that the Virat Kohli-led side will be fresh and raring to go and the energy to play cricket after a gap will make for the lack of match practice.
"The other factor that will work in the Indian team's favor is that they will be fresh and raring to go and that sheer energy and enthusiasm to be able to play the sport they love after a month's gap will more than makeup for any lack of match practice," Gavaskar wrote.
"This is a team that has tasted success and that too in adverse circumstances, so any adversity will be looked upon as an opportunity to show they have the gumption to rise above it and conquer it," he concluded.