Southampton: Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar reckoned that he expects an exciting finish to the World Test Championship final which has headed into the Reserve Day. India went to stumps on Day 5 at 64/2, leading New Zealand by 32 runs. Currently, India are at 89/4 on the final day with Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant at the crease.
“India will probably not be able to bowl New Zealand out in the second innings. They have to bowl exceptionally well to get New Zealand out,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying to India Today. “India will be looking to score freely and put some runs on the board and maybe try to bowl New Zealand out in the fourth innings. An exciting finish for the first-ever WTC final.”
The batting maestro also added that India have a fair chance to win against New Zealand but they need to up their tactics to post a challenging second innings total. As the weather on reserve day is predicted to be sunny, which might be tough for batting.
“They have earned the opportunity (an outside chance to go for win) but now the pitch seems to be playing a lot better because of the weather that is different, there is a little bit of sun out now. It has dried up the surface. Even if there is a little bit of grass on the pitch, it won’t have that much carry that was there in the earlier days. So that means batting has become a lot easier,” he added.
As the inaugural World Test Championship has reached its final lap with two options open a thrilling draw or a win for either side, Gavaskar felt that ICC should have think of a formula to pick a winner in case the match washed out or draw.
“There must be a formula to pick a winner in case of a drawn World Test Championship final. ICC’s cricket committee should think and then take a decision. It seems that the World Test Championship final will end up as a draw and the trophy will be shared. This will be the first time that the trophy will be shared in a final,” Gavaskar stated.
