New Zealand will have that slight edge because they've played Tests against England: Sachin Tendulkar

The final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship will see a highly-anticipated encounter between India and New Zealand. Going into the WTC final, the Blackcaps have a massive advantage as they were recently involved in a two-match Test series against England. The Kiwis won the Test series by 1-0 and also got a chance to get back to the rhythm and adapt themselves to the English playing conditions. 

India, on the other hand, is relying on intra-squad matches and training sessions to prepare itself for the showpiece event. Former Indian skipper Sachin Tendulkar didn’t seem happy with the England and New Zealand Test series as he asserted that the series should have been played after the WTC final.

Tendulkar argued that both India and New Zealand should have gotten an equal chance to prepare for the WTC. The Indian veteran believes that playing the Test series against England has provided an edge to the Kane Williamson-led side. 

“I don’t know when New Zealand vs England series was decided. I’d like to believe that it was decided way in advance, way before New Zealand booked their spot in the Final. Maybe it’s a coincidence. This England vs New Zealand series was not going to contribute to the WTC Final.. so maybe the WTC Final first and then this series (could have been staged).

“This is, without any doubt, another way to look at it. New Zealand will have that slight edge because they’ve played the two Tests against England while India haven’t had practice matches except for playing between themselves,” Tendulkar remarked as quoted by Times of India.

It should actually be a World Test Championship series, not just one match: Sachin Tendulkar

Further, in the interaction, Sachin also opined on hosting the WTC final as a three-match affair. The Indian veteran believes that playing just one match as the WTC final is unfair as there is no continuity. The Mumbai-born also believes that the teams have played two to three games in a series to reach the top spot and thus the same pattern should be followed for the finals too.

“Where’s the continuity? It should actually be a World Test Championship series, not just one match. Because to get to this point, you’ve played Test series involving two or three Tests or more. So, it shouldn’t have just been a World Test Championship Final but the World Test Championship Final Series. Because you’ve played series to get to this point,” said the former India batsman, who has played a record 200 Test matches.