Former Indian fast bowler, Venkatesh Prasad reckons that a high-on-resources Indian team has got all bases covered to get past a high-on-confidence New Zealand in the World Test Championship final scheduled to be commencing on June 18 at Southampton. Unlike his playing days, Prasad reckons that the Indian team now have a third or a fourth seamer who can maintain pressure built by the new ball bowlers. At the same time, he feels Team Indian has the batting to score 350 runs on the board irrespective of the conditions.
Describing the same during a chat with PTI, Venkatesh Prasad said, “India have got a lot of options as their bench is also very strong. Be it a batting or seaming track, India have got the upper hand for the simple reason: In early 90s and later 2000s, there will be two good seamers but the team did have not a third or fourth option. We always had world class spinners but now we also have a world class pace attack.”
ALSO READ: Irfan Pathan Reveals The Players Who Will Face Difficulties In WTC Final
New Zealand look like the team to beat after they thrshed England in a two-match series. It was their first triumph on English soil in 22 years. Talking about the playing XI, Venkatesh Prasad said it will be a straightforward decision for captain Virat Kohli.
Describing the same, Vekatesh Prasad said, “Ashwin and Jadeja and three fast bowlers seem to be the best combination. Bumrah, Shami and Ishant sharma have the experience of playing in different conditions, they know their roles very well. The strategy is very simple. Who can make use of the new ball better?”
He further added, “Both Bumrah and Shami have got an amazing seam position and great control over line and length. I am surprised that Ishant is considered number three even after playing 100 Tests. He also has a lot of experience of playing county cricket in England.”
Prasad also feels India have got enough time to get themselves ready to face New Zealand, who have a slight advantage having already played two Tests.
ALSO READ: Michael Vaughan Vouches For New Zealand To Win The WTC Final
Asked if he too wants to see a best of three final like India head coach Ravi Shastri, Venkatesh Prasad added: “See most sports it is just one final. It is also about having the window to play three finals. If you do that it is going to 25 days of cricket with three days of gap in between. Where is the window to do that?”
