India vs New Zealand WTC Final: Squads, Fixtures, Venue, Broadcasters & All you need to know

From 18th June 2021, the attention of the entire cricketing world will shift to Southampton, where Virat Kohli’s India will take on Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the summit clash of the World Test Championship (WTC). Both these formidable outfits will enter the WTC final on the back of a stupendous run in Test cricket in recent times.

While the Black Caps have won each of the last 6 Test matches that they have played, the Indian side has won 4 out of the last 5 Test matches that they have played too. In fact, New Zealand has won 3 out of their last 4 Test matches by an innings, while India too pummelled England by an innings and 25 runs on the previous occasion they took the field clad in whites.

Both India and New Zealand will be led by two men who are the legends of the modern era. While Williamson is the backbone of the New Zealand batting lineup and has scored 7115 runs in Test cricket at an average of 54.31, including 24 centuries, Virat Kohli has plundered 7490 runs in the white flannels at an average of 52.38, including 27 centuries.

So, a tantalizing contest awaits the cricketing world in 5 weeks’ time. Will Williamson’s coolness prevail over Virat Kohli’s fiery brand of cricket? Or will Kohli’s India emerge on top?

World Test Championship Final Squads

India Squad for WTC Final 

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha

New Zealand Squad for WTC Final

Kane Williamson (C), Tom Blundell (WK), Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling (WK), Will Young

Schedule and Venue for WTC Final

The World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand will be held from 18th June to 22nd June 2021. The WTC final will be played at Southampton.

Playing Conditions for WTC Final

Ball to be used – Dukes

What if match ends in a draw? – India and New Zealand will be declared joint-winners

Is there a reserve day? – Yes, June 23. On the sixth day, a maximum of 83 overs can be bowled in addition to the last hour. Reserve day will only come into play if the lost overs are not made up on the same day. All the efforts will be made to cover the lost overs during five days of play.

What about follow-on? – If the entire first day’s play is abandoned due to rain. Even then the WTC Final will be a five-day affair with reserve day coming into play. The follow-on will be of 200 runs in this case. Even if one over of play takes on Day 1 and then the day is rained out, then also the follow-on will stay 200.

If the first two complete days of play is washed out due to rain, then the WTC Final will turn into a four-day match. In this case, the follow-on will be of 150 runs.

Short Runs – Third umpire will review all calls of short runs by on-field officials and communicate it to the umpires.

Shot Played or Not – Before reviewing an lbw decision, the fielding captain or the dismissed batsman can ask the umpire whether they thought if the shot was played or not.

Change in lbw reviews – For the lbw reviews, the height margin of the wicket zone has been changed to top of the stumps to increase the margin for umpire’s call around the stumps for height and width both.

Broadcast Details for WTC Final

Match Timings: 3:30 PM (IST)

TV: Star Sports Network

Live Streaming: Hotstar