Former New Zealand skipper, Glenn Turner has said India batsmen, including their skipper, captain Virat Kohli, will find it difficult to survive in swinging and seaming conditions during the World Test Championship final if the conditions in Southampton. Turner said India batsmen found it hard to negate the kiwi pacers during their trip to New Zealand last year and it might not be very different if the conditions are similar.
India will be locking horns with New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. However, India was in New Zealand in a two-match series in 2020. The World No. 1 Test side managed to get past 200 only once in 4 innings with their skipper managing just 41 runs in 2 Tests. The likes of Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult wreaked havoc in the Indian batting line-up.
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During a recent chat with The Telegraph, Glenn Turner said, “I don’t wish to speculate on whether Kohli’s reflexes have deteriorated. But if the pitch and overall conditions favour seam and swing, he is also likely to struggle along with others as was demonstrated in New Zealand. Once again, conditions are going to be pivotal. I think it is true to say that the home conditions, where batsmen are brought up, play a significant part in the technique and skills of a player.”
He further added, “Although it seems that in more recent times, pitches in India can assist seam bowling, they still can’t be compared to conditions in New Zealand. This was exposed when India last toured New Zealand. English conditions are generally closer to those in New Zealand.”
Ahead of te much-awaited WTC final, New Zealand is locking horns with England in a two-match series. Kane Williamson and his men dominated the first Test at Lord’s before it ended in a draw on Sunday.
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On the other hand, India players, who arrived in Southampton on June 3, are in managed isolation. Unfortunately, they will not be getting some match practice before the big final.
