World Test Championship final conditions were New Zealand-like but India can prosper in forthcoming five-match Test series, reckons the batting great
Virat Kohli (left) and Kane Williamson exchange pleasantries after the India vs New Zealand World Test Championship final at Southampton recently. Pic/Bipin Patel
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has said that the conditions for the first four days of the recent World Test Championship final at Southampton were similar to that of New Zealand.
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"The cold, damp conditions, the overcast weather and a fair amount of grass on the pitch are what the Kiwi players are used to and so when they found those in Southampton, they took full advantage of it," wrote Gavaskar in his column for Sunday mid-day.
Gavaskar, however, predicted a successful English summer for the Indian cricket team. "Indian batsmen need not worry about the series against England in August-September as the sun will be out by then and the pitches will be drier and with the greatest of respect, if Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad don't get wickets in their first spell, they struggle in their next spells," wrote Gavaskar.
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India look to win their first Test series in England since 2007 with the hosts winning the Pataudi Trophy in 2011, 2014 and 2018.
"The English summer has begun with disappointment [for India] but when disappointment fuels determination then fortunes can be turned and that's the attitude this talented team need to make this a truly Indian summer," wrote Gavaskar.
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