WTC Final: I fear India may be behind New Zealand on preparation – Kevin Pietersen

England former swashbuckling batsman Kevin Pietersen believes India may be behind New Zealand as far as preparation for the World Test Championship final is concerned.

New Zealand played two Test matches against England and the Kiwis went on to dominate the first Test match but didn’t have the rub of the green on their side as the third day of the game was completely washed out.

However, New Zealand went on to win the second Test match despite making six changes to their playing XI and England lost a series for the first time at home after 2014. On the other hand, India will lack match practice as they will enter the big final.

The Indian players last played competitive cricket back in the IPL and Pietersen feels it is not ideal for the Virat Kohli-led team. As the IPL was postponed, it was a blessing in disguise for the Indian players as they were able to get some rest under their belt.

India has been training in groups in the previous two weeks and also played an intra-squad match before the big final.

“New Zealand have had fantastic preparation for this World Test Championship final. They’ve played two Test matches against England, and basically outplayed them in both. You can’t prepare for a Test match in England having been involved in an IPL that was called off a month ago and with no proper warm-up matches at all,” Pietersen wrote in his blog for Betway Insider.

“Their (New Zealand’s) pace bowling against England was fantastic Tim Southee at Lord’s and then Matt Henry, who probably won’t even play in this match, at Edgbaston. You only get one or two chances in a one-off Test match, and I fear that India may be behind on their preparation,” Pietersen added.’

On the other hand, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly also feels that New Zealand will have the slight advantage as they are better prepared for the WTC final.

“New Zealand will have a slight advantage because they have played in these conditions and beat England in their own backyard, which is not easy at all. This was a big series for NZ, they just look so solid. New Zealand won the 2nd Test at Edgbaston without Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee, who have been big players for them in the WTC,” Ganguly told Aaj Tak on eSalaamCricket.