India and New Zealand are all but ready to turn up for the World Test Championship Final in Southampton. Both teams know each other very well and will try to exploit the weakness. Virat Kohli reckons both teams are befriended off the ground but it all will take a back seat when the final will begin.

Kohli has a good friendship with his opposite number Kane Williamson but he knows how dangerous he can be and will try to get him out as at the earliest.

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“We play a certain brand of cricket ourselves. For us, we are playing against a team that is a solid opponent. Off the field, we get along well. On the field, we are very professional and we know what we need to do,” said Kohli on the eve of the match.

“Me and Kane (Williamson) have become friends over the last few years but when you step across the line you want to get him out as soon as possible. The camaraderie is off the field. But on the field we are professionals.”

Kohli believes irrespective of the result of the final, his team has played some exceptional cricket in the last 4-5 years, which led them to the finals.

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“For me, this is another match that has to be played. Very exciting for those on the outside. As a team, we will continue with our quest for excellence. We know what we want to do. We won the 2011 World Cup but life goes on. The occasion has to be treated in the same way. The mindset remains the same. For us it is a contest between bat and ball,” the 32-year-old said.

India announced their playing XI on the eve of the final. India opted to go with five bowlers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and the pace trio of Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Shubhman Gill and Rohit Sharma will open the batting with Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Pant to follow.