WTC Final: Geoffrey Boycott backs Team India to fire

India’s Virat Kohli (left) and Jasprit Bumrah celebrate an Australian wicket during the first Test at Adelaide last December. Pic/Getty Images

Former England captain and batting mainstay, Sir Geoffrey Boycott reckons India go into their June 18-22 World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand as favourites.

"India are favourites in my book because of what they did in Australia, where they showcased their talent and fighting qualities in the final Test at the Gabba in Brisbane to win the series 2-1," Boycott, 80, told mid-day from Yorkshire.

Virat Kohli & Co beat the Englishmen at home recently which adds to the confidence factor. Boycott pointed to New Zealand's batting foibles. He said: "Their batting depth is not great. They rally around Kane Williamson. The Indian bowlers should target breaking partnerships right from the beginning."

Sir Geoffrey Boycott

The cricketer-turned-commentator felt New Zealand play to their strengths and could field four fast bowlers against the Indians: "I think the Kiwis will play four seamers, but India will make a mistake if they too include four pacers in their XI. I want to see Ravindra Jadeja in the first XI. He is a great utility cricketer."

Weather factor

Boycott's fears about the Indian batting centre around the possibility of rain at Southampton. "We'll have to watch out for the weather, which no one can guarantee. Southampton is a coastal area and it could rain anytime. India will have to put pressure on the New Zealanders through their batsmen," said Boycott.

Though he sees India prospering in the final, he had no doubts that the match will be a tough one. "The Test will be an interesting one; shouldn't be one-sided. Both teams would like to win the inaugural trophy and I am sure India under Virat Kohli would have done their homework well.

"That said, New Zealand are a fighting side. They will be desperate and extra charged up after missing out on the opportunity to win the 50-over World Cup in 2019," he said.

Bumrah vs Boult battle

The WTC final will witness several battles, but the one Boycott can't wait to see is the tussle between Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult. "I'm looking forward to see how that unfolds. There will be grass on the pitch for sure. The Rose Bowl has got open spaces around the ground, so wind will be a factor and in this scenario, Bumrah and Mohammed Shami will be very effective. "India were not good tourists in the last century. By that I mean they were not very consistent. But they started playing under the captaincy of my Prince of Kolkata, Sourav Ganguly. The same tune continues, I suppose," signed off Boycott.

Also Read: Pace pays, it sure does!