Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has recently said that both India and New Zealand deserve to take on each other in the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship final and he also expects that the contest is going to be a closely fought affair. However, the two teams will meet in the final of the competition at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on June 18 as well.

“Two of the best teams on the form have reached the final,” Brendon McCullum told India Today on eSalaamCricket. “I think 60-40 in favour of New Zealand. It’s going to be close. The match practice that New Zealand are going to have leading into the final could just title it in their way. I think it’s going to be close.”

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“Just as New Zealand respects India, as a fan, I will respect India, knowing how good they are and the fighting spirit they have. I think we are in for a ripping World Test Championship final. May the best team win and the best game,” Brendon McCullum again shared.

Meanwhile, New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee on Wednesday said that the World Test Championship final can be seen changes in future despite being a one-off match as well. Not only he but India head coach Ravi Shastri also revealed that the WTC final can be decided in a best-of-three match series as well earlier this month.

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“At the start of the two-year cycle, we knew that it was going to be a one-off final. Maybe it’s something they can look at going forward and then potentially make changes,” Southee shared during a virtual press conference. “It was made clear two years ago at the start of the cycle, what was required to win the championship. It’s been great to put context around the Test game, to have the two-year cycle. There have already been adjustments going forward to the next cycle. So, it’ll be an evolving thing,” he added.