This article is about the probable XIs for both teams and continues with the Dream11 predictions and the winning fantasy team for a Test Match of the ICC WTC Final 2021 between India and New Zealand scheduled to take place from 18th June 2021 to 22nd June 2021 at Southampton.
The Final of the ICC World Test Championship 2021 is set to kick-start between India and New Zealand at Southampton from Friday. New Zealand has recently defeated England in a two-match Test series by 1-0, and India also played their last Test series against England, where they managed to win by a margin of 3-1.
Both the teams will be high on confidence before facing each other into this marquee Final at Southampton. However, India will keep in mind that they have faced a horrible series defeat against the Kiwis in a two-match Test series.
Match Details
Venue: The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Pitch and Weather: This will be a true Test match wicket as it will be managed by ICC because it is an ICC Final match at Southampton. The pitch will assist pacers in the initial days, and then it will get dry as spinners will also get help in the last two days of the Test match. The weather will be cloudy throughout the Test Match as there are chances of showers in the last four days of the game.
Date and Time: 18th June 2021, 11 AM Local, 3.30 PM IST.
The Probable Playing XIs
India will be certain about their playing XI as they have had a very successful last few months in Test cricket. They got the perfect balance of pacers and spinners, along with a strong batting order in the starting XI. India’s bowling attack will be a key in this Final against New Zealand.
On the other hand, New Zealand has tried some players in the two-match Test series against England. Tim Southee had a brilliant Test match at Lord’s, and Trent Boult picked up wickets in the second Test match at Edgbaston and Matt Henry and Niel Wagner. Devon Conway had a remarkable debut series against England. He scored 304 runs in his debut series and won the man of the series award as well.
India – Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah.
New Zealand – Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Henry Nicholls, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner/Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Niel Wagner.
Match Prediction
Both teams have equal quality as they have managed to clinch the place in the ICC World Test Championship 2021. The pace attack of both the teams is evenly matched. However, India has two quality spinners compared to New Zealand. The batting department will be under the eye as whoever will succeed in outperforming the other will succeed in this final at Southampton. However, New Zealand will have an edge as they won the last series against India and won the two-match Test series against England just before this marquee Final.
Fantasy Prediction
Batsmen- India has a strong and experienced middle-order, including Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Rohit Sharma will also be the best option from the top order. From New Zealand, the skipper Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, and Devon Conway will be key players for the fantasy XI.
Bowlers- Both the teams have quality bowling attacks in this game. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will be key players from India, and Trent Boult, Tim Southee, and Neil Wagner will be important picks from NZ.
All-Rounders – From the all-rounder section, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja both will be crucial picks as both can score some runs, and they will be important on the pitch of the last two days at Southampton.
Wicket-Keeper – Rishabh Pant will be a must-pick option from the wicket-keeping section. He is in immense form in red-ball cricket, and he will look to continue his good run in this game too.
Captaincy Choices
Team for Fantasy – Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tim Southee, Mohammad Shami, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner.
Captain – Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is arguably one of the best batsmen in the world across all formats of the game. He will be keen to perform on the biggest stage of Test cricket. So, he can be captain of fantasy XI.
Vice-captain – Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson is having really good form in red-ball cricket as the Kiwi skipper had outstanding home series in 2021. He will be the best choice for the vice-captain of fantasy XI.
Dream11 Team
