NEW DELHI: Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh feels the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand should have been a three-match tie as the current schedule puts Virat Kohli’s men at a “slight disadvantage”.
The Indian team, which landed in England on Thursday, goes into the game starting June 18 in Southampton with limited preparation time while New Zealand are already playing a two-Test series against hosts England.
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Kohli-led India reached England on Thursday and headed into a three-day quarantine ahead of June 18 match.
New”I feel in a situation like this, there should be a best of 3 Tests, because if you lose the first one then you can come back in the next two.
India will have a slight disadvantage because New Zealand are already playing Test cricket in England,” Yuvraj told ‘Sports Tak’.
“There are 8-10 practice sessions but there’s no substitute for match-practice.
It will be an even contest but New Zealand will have an edge,” he said.
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India will lock horns with New Zealand in the title clash to be played at the Ageas Bowl.Yuvraj said India have a stronger batting line-up compared to the Kane Williamson-led Black Caps.
“I do believe India is very strong because lately we have been winning outside the country.
I think our batting is stronger, in bowling they are at par,” he said.
The 2011 World Cup hero said Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will have to get used to the Dukes ball quickly in their maiden appearance as openers in England.
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Nevertheless, they are a “top-quality side”, feels former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson.”Rohit Sharma is very experienced now in Test matches.
He has almost 7 hundreds, 4 hundreds as opener.
But both Rohit and Shubman Gill have not opened in England ever,” Yuvraj said.
“They know the challenge, the Dukes Ball swings early.
They have to get used to the conditions quickly.
“In England, it’s important to take it one session at a time.
In the morning, the ball swings and seams, in the afternoon you can score runs, after Tea, it swings again.
As a batsman, if you can adapt to these things, you can be successful.” Read AlsoPujara is ‘up and running’ as Indians allowed individual physical training on Day 3 of quarantineIndian cricketers trained in a staggered manner on the third day of their quarantine here after being allowed to run in the gymnasium and the main playing field at different time slots.Gill impressed in his maiden series in Australia but did not get runs in the home series against England.
Yuvraj wants him to draw confidence from the performance in Australia.
“Shubman is a very young guy, still inexperienced but he should feel confident about his success in Australia.
So, if he has the belief, he can do well anywhere else in the world,” said Yuvraj.
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“There was already the physical and mental challenge of playing for your country, add a bio-bubble to it now.
I think it is very tough.
I hope COVID vanishes soon and people can et on with their normal lives,” he said.