IND VS NZ: 5 PLAYER BATTLES TO WATCH OUT FOR IN WTC FINAL

While New Zealand might’ve trounced India when they visited the Kiwi nation last year, both teams will be hard to separate this time out...

- VEDANT YADAV

The inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand will be played in Southampton’s Ageas Bowl from June 18-22. Both the teams, India and New Zealand, topped the points table to set up a marquee clash.

Virat Kohli and his men played 6 Test series, winning 12 matches and losing 4 matches (PCT of 72.2 per cent). Kane Williamson and Co., on the other hand, played 5 Test series, winning 7 matches and losing 4 matches PCT of 70 per cent.

Both squads are filled with world-class players. While New Zealand might’ve trounced India when they visited the Kiwi nation last year, both teams will be hard to separate this time out as the final is being played at a neutral venue.

But one thing can be assured that this marquee clash has a nail-biter written all over it. In the meantime, here are 5 player battles to watch out for in the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand:

5. R ASHWIN AND T LATHAM

Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is currently the second-ranked bowler in ICC Test rankings with 850 points. He troubled the Australian batsman with his bowling skills before doing the same with the England batting line-up in the home test series, earlier this year. He is also the third-highest wicket-taker in WTC with 67 wickets.