Difficult to predict the winner but advantage with New Zealand due to England series: Gautam Gambhir

The final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand has caused a lot of buzz on social media. It might feel strange to a lot of people but the cricket fans on social media are appreciating former Indian batsman Gautam Gambhir for helping the Indian team and increasing their chances of winning the elite title. 

Though there is no real connection between Gambhir and the current Indian team, the Indian cricket fans have found one. Gambhir started trending on Twitter after the veteran deemed New Zealand as the favorite to win the World Test Championship. Notably, the fans have often accused Gambhir of jinxing a player or a team. 

Many in the cricket fraternity believe that the player or team for whom Gambhir roots often fail to perform. The 39-year-old was involved in a conversation with Aaj Tak where he asserted that entering the WTC final, the Kiwis will have an edge as they featured in a two-match Test series against England.

The Test series helped the Blackcaps in getting back to the rhythm and prepare for the WTC final. India, on the other hand, is relying on the net sessions and intra-squad practice games to prepare themselves for the summit clash. Gambhir is of the opinion that New Zealand will be better prepared for the showpiece event as there is no substitute for playing a real match. 

New Zealand will be better prepared for the WTC final: Gautam Gambhir

“It is difficult to predict the favorites in the one-off final. But I feel New Zealand will have a slight advantage because they have played two Test matches in England, and most importantly, they have won it,” said Gambhir.

“You can play as many intra-squad matches, but there is no substitute to match practice. As a result, new Zealand will be better prepared for the WTC final,” he Gambhir.

Further, in the interaction, Gambhir also heaped praises on the Indian bowling attack. Gambhir reckoned that he has always maintained that the bowlers win the Test match as a team needs to take all the 20 wickets. The veteran belies that India’s bowling attack has the skillset and power to challenge any opposition.

“I have always believed that it is bowlers who win you the Test matches. To win a Test match, you need to take 20 wickets, and I think the current Indian bowling line-up can trouble any team at any surface. The depth in Indian bowling attack is immense,” Gambhir concluded.