NZ will have slight edge over India as they have already played two test against England ahead of WTC final: Sachin Tendulkar

As cricket fans all over the world are eyeing at the most awaited event in the history of Test cricket in the form of the World Test Championship is all set to take place on 18^th June 2021 at Southampton between the two powerhouses i.e India and New Zealand in the longest format of the game to coin the first World Test Champion of Cricket.

Taking about the preparation of both the sides, India is completely relying on their Intra Squad practice games which they have played among peers whereas Kiwis are joining the mega event after thrashing England by 1-0 in a two-match Test series on the latter soil.

Recently Indian batting giant Sachin Tendulkar was asked about how will have an advantage ahead of the final among two top Test Playing nations to which the ace batsman replied that NZ will certainly have a slight edge over India as they have already played two test matches in England ahead of the marquee event.

“I don’t know when New Zealand vs England series was decided. I’d like to believe that it was decided way in advance, way before New Zealand booked their spot in the Final. Maybe it’s a coincidence. This England vs New Zealand series was not going to contribute to the WTC Final.. so maybe the WTC Final first and then this series (could have been staged).

“This is, without any doubt, another way to look at it. New Zealand will have that slight edge because they’ve played the two Tests against England while India haven’t had practice matches except for playing between themselves,” Tendulkar remarked as quoted by Times of India.

Tendulkar was quick to remind ICC that one match final in World Test Championship to decide the winner is unfair on those teams who are playing good cricket throughout the 2-year cycle of Test Championship so three-match series should be the best way to decide the winner of WTC final.

“Where’s the continuity? It should actually be a World Test Championship series, not just one match. Because to get to this point, you’ve played Test series involving two or three Tests or more. So, it shouldn’t have just been a World Test Championship Final but the World Test Championship Final Series. Because you’ve played series to get to this point,” said the former India batsman, who has played a record 200 Test matches.