WTC final: Man to man, India looks the better team: Dilip Vengsarkar

It all boils down to the final battle after two years of gruelling hard work. The World Test Championship Final draws nearer, bringing with it a sense of excitement. Team India will lock horns with New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl, in Southampton from June 18. The last time they met, New Zealand defeated India 2-0 in a two-match Test series.

While several cricket pundits have labelled the Kiwis as favourites, Dilip Vengsarkar believes Team India have the upper hand. “If you compare the New Zealand team to the Indian team, man to man, India looks the better team," Vengsarkar was quoted as saying to Khaleej Times.

Given the variety and calibre of the Indian team, the former batsman feels India are more equipped than Kane Williamson's New Zealand.

“Of course, Trent Boult is a world-class bowler and Kane Williamson is a world-class batsman. But India is a more all-round team. We have got quality spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja), we have got quality fast bowlers (Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj) and quality batters as well." he added. 

When India toured England in 2018, India skipper Virat Kohli waged a lone battle, accumulating 593 runs in 10 innings. Vengsarkar, who was instrumental in leading India to its first-ever victory at Lord's in 1986, stated that the Virat Kohli-led team requires contributions from all members in order to win the silverware.

“There are talented players in the (Indian) team. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, they are world-class cricketers. But it is also important for other players to chip in, you know, because you can't depend only on two players. If you are playing Test match cricket, everybody has to contribute," the 65-year-old concluded. 

[Khaleej Times input]