'New Zealand has the advantage' - VVS Laxman opines on the upcoming World Test Championship final

The first edition of the World Test Championship has boiled down to a contest between India and New Zealand in the final from June 18 to June 22 at Southampton. As the WTC final is just a couple of days away, former Indian batsman VVS Laxman carried out a preview of the Indian team. Before the final, New Zealand is playing a two-match Test series against England.

VVS believes that the Test series will provide an edge to the New Zealand players as they will get a chance to get accustomed to the England conditions and their pitches. The veteran added that every team wants to play a match or two in the overseas conditions before they head into the main Test fixture. 

“Well, theoretically, that’s an advantage for New Zealand, because whenever you play any Test match in overseas conditions, you at least would like to play one – if not two matches before the main match. There’s no doubt it helps you to get acclimatized to the conditions. That’s always been the norm for so many years. Especially for the batsmen, it will take time to get used to the new conditions. So theoretically, New Zealand has the advantage,” Laxman explained as quoted by SportStar.

The series win in Australia was a testament to India’s character: VVS Laxman 

However, VVS believes that it won’t have much effect on India as they have achieved unprecedented success in the purest format of the game. The veteran feels that India doesn’t know how to take a backward step and the India tour of Australia was a testament to their character and intent. He added that a few intense training sessions before the summit clash will do the job for the Asian nation. 

“But India has not taken a backward step, irrespective of whatever challenges they have faced. The series win in Australia was a testament to their character and their positive mindset. So even though theoretically, New Zealand – who is already accustomed to the English conditions – may have the advantage, I am sure the Indian team will maybe have intense training sessions before the final,” Laxman suggested.