India will have to play well to beat NZ in WTC final: Ajit Agarkar

Team India is set to face New Zealand in the crucial clash, which gets underway on June 18th. The inaugural edition of the ICC event will be played at the Ageas Bowl Stadium in Southampton. 

Speaking on Star Sports’ show 'Cricket Connected', former India pacer Ajit Agarkar opined the men in blue would not underestimate their opponents because the Blackcaps have performed admirably in previous ICC events and believe they are no longer underdogs.

"I hope not. I don't think the Indian team would be guilty to underestimate the Kiwis. I think the underdog tag has gone away from New Zealand. Every ICC tournament you look at - okay, this is the first of its kind, Test championship - every ICC tournament, whether it's the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, the World Cup; they always turn up, they're always there in the thereabout," said Agarkar.

The Kiwis have proven their worth time and again, and their consistent results in World tournaments have established them as one of the most fierce sides. With such performances down the line, New Zealand have transformed themselves into favorites to win major tournaments.

"If not the finals, then in the quarterfinals or the semi-finals. And that's a testament to their consistency. So, the underdog tag should go. Yes, there are, perhaps bigger names in some of the other teams and that's why you count them as favorites. So, I don't think India will be underestimating them," he said.

India will need to bring their A-game to beat the Kiwis, says Agarkar.

"They beat India comprehensively well when India toured New Zealand and the conditions are likely to be very similar to what India got in New Zealand. So, India will have to play well to beat New Zealand in this contest," Agarkar added.