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WTC Final: IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | IND vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today | India vs New Zealand WTC Final Key Players | Southampton Pitch Report

When discerning just how important this World Test Championship Final, just ask the fans of New Zealand and India. Granted, there are far more in India than New Zealand (population of over one billion vs five or so million), which again highlights just how superb this New Zealand side is in once again flying under the radar to reach the showpiece event.

And it’s the showpiece events that have haunted both New Zealand and India in recent years. The Black Caps, so close in 2015 and especially 2019 in ODI cricket, continue to show their fighting qualities in the longest format. They are unbeaten in their last eight Tests after a disappointing 3-0 series defeat in Australia at the turn of 2019-2020, which includes a dominant and clinical 2-0 series win against India at home a month or two later.

Such is New Zealand’s aura is that they swept England aside with almost their second XI at Edgbaston. Their batting, so simple yet effective, combines magnificently well with their bowling, of which at least two quality bowlers are guaranteed to miss out on the XI. Devon Conway has been magnificent in his short international career to date, and his partnership with Tom Latham – particularly against the superb Ishant – will make for great viewing. As will, of course, the captaincy styles of Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli.

India deserve to be here just on their scarcely-believable series win in Australia at the turn of the year. Their players dropped like flies with injuries, but their spirit rose and rose with each passing delivery, eventually culminating in their greatest ever triumph away from home, confirming their passage to this showpiece event.

However, with India’s magnificent qualities – of which they are many – come some flaws. Their starts to their last two series – against Australia and England – is cause for improvement, as any major slip up here in a one-off final is not salvagable. The battle of India’s contrasting but effective top six against New Zealand’s brigade is one for the ages, as is India’s magnificent pace attack against New Zealand’s reliable batting.

10 years ago in England, India were struggling for any impact with the ball. Now, they had to make a key call as to which pacer they leave out. Fingers crossed the weather holds for long enough that we see enough cricket, because if we do, we are in for an awesome ride.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

India:

• Virat Kohli undoubtedly holds a huge key to India’s chances. He hasn’t had the best of WTC campaigns, but his 2018 tour of England can hold him in good stead. In that series, he struck a brilliant 593 runs at an average of 59.30, including 46 and 58 at Southampton.
• Overall against New Zealand, Kohli has scored 773 runs in nine Tests at an average of 51.53. In New Zealand, where conditions are somewhat similar to England, Kohli’s average drops to 36, with a century and half-century in four Tests.
• Cheteshwar Pujara is the only India player to have scored a Test century on this ground (132* in 2018). Pujara was superb again in Australia, and he will be key in grinding the New Zealand attack down. Overall against New Zealand, Pujara has scored 749 runs in nine Tests at an average of 46.81.
• Ajinkya Rahane has struck three half-centuries in four innings on this ground. The Indian vice-captain averages 44.44 in 42 away Tests, which is a highlight of his career.
• Haven’t we all enjoyed the remarkable rise of Rishabh Pant over the past year? He is a game-changer, and has the potential to swing the game well in his team’s favour, as he showed in Australia and against England at home.
• There was a lot of discussion about India’s pace attack combination for this big match. Jasprit Bumrah (3/46 and 1/51), Ishant Sharma (2/26 and 2/36) and Mohammed Shami (2/51 and 4/57) all performed well at Southampton in 2018.
• Since the start of 2018, Ishant Sharma has been a revelation. His 77 wickets have come at an average of 19.73, and he will be key in this match against New Zealand’s top order.
• The performances of Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be key. Jadeja’s batting will be crucial down the order, and Ashwin will be up against three left-handers in New Zealand’s top five. Also, Ashwin has a good record vs Williamson, with five dismissals for 146 runs.

New Zealand:

• Devon Conway has taken to international cricket like a duck to water. He is coming off a dream series against England, where he struck 200 and 83 in the two Tests.
• A lot has been made of Kane Williamson’s Test record in England (261 runs, avg. 26.10). Also, Williamson averages just 31.16 in 10 Tests vs India, so NZ fans will be hoping Williamson can overcome these moderate numbers.
• Ross Taylor has the most runs of any current player in New Zealand-India Tests (812 runs, avg. 33.83).
• Tim Southee has a fine record against India. In eight Tests, he has taken 39 scalps at a fine average of 24.46. This includes 14 wickets in two games against India in 2020, where he got the better of the likes of Virat Kohli. Also, Southee took a five-for in his last Test vs England.
• Trent Boult also had a great series vs India in 2020. He took 11 wickets in two Tests at an average of 19.36. Overall, Boult has taken 36 wickets vs India at an average of 29.52, and has 27 wickets at 22.40 in England.
• Kyle Jamieson has been a revelation for NZ, and his Test career started vs India in 2020 (he took nine wickets in two Tests at an average of 16.33).

Stats and Facts

• India lost the first Test of their last two Test series – against Australia and England. So, they will need to hit their straps right away in this one-off WTC Final.
• Rohit Sharma averages of 79.20 in 18 Tests in India. However, this average drops to almost unprecedented levels to 27.00 in 20 Tests everywhere else. His battle against the left-arm swing of Trent Boult and Neil Wagner will be key.
• The great BJ Watling will be playing his last Test. He averages just 22 against India, but has a century against them, which was scored in a difficult situation. Can New Zealand send him out a winner?
• India have beaten New Zealand just once in five previous ICC events – a Super Sixes clash at the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. 
• India have played two Tests at Southampton, losing both (in 2014 and 2018).

Possible Playing 11

New Zealand, such is their bench strength, have key decisions to make regarding their bowling attack. They have a plethora of options, with conditions to dictate whether they pick Ajaz Patel over one of the five seam options, which includes Colin de Grandhomme. Given the success of spinners at Southampton in the past – most notably Moeen Ali – New Zealand may be tempted to play Patel to provide variety.

New Zealand: 1. Tom Latham, 2. Devon Conway, 3. Kane Williamson (c), 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling (wk), 7. Colin de Grandhomme/Ajaz Patel, 8. Tim Southee, 9. Kyle Jamieson, 10. Neil Wagner, 11. Trent Boult

India have confirmed their playing 11, with both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja playing. Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have got the nod over Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav.

India: 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, 4. Virat Kohli (c), 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant (wk), 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. R Ashwin, 9. Ishant Sharma, 10. Mohammed Shami, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

Southampton Pitch Report and Weather

Ah, England. It is always a worry having a game of such magnitude where rain often plays spoilsport. And, it may very well play spoilsport here. The weather forecast looks quite bleak, with showers and overcast conditions forecast right throughout the six days.

In terms of the pitch, head curator Simon Lee promised a pitch with pace, bounce and carry. He also stated that if conditions are dry enough, the surface can take turn. However, with plenty of cloud cover around, one can expect conditions to stay mostly seamer-friendly.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

One can argue that New Zealand have an edge due to two Test matches played recently, plus their good record vs India overall. However, given the weather forecast, there may not be enough time to force a result, even with another day scheduled. Expecting the World Test Championship mace to be shared.