The first ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will see the number 1 and number 2 test teams on the ICC test ranking system play each other to decide who is the first ever World Test Champions. India and New Zealand finished in first and second place respectively and are set to play each other from June 18 to 22 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England.
There is a lot at stake during the WTC final. Apart from winning the first ever World Test Championship trophy, the winning team will receive $1.6 million and the runner-up will take home $800,000. If the match ends up in a draw, then both teams will take home $1.2 million each.
If you are interested in betting on the World Test Championship, go ahead and register at any one of the sportsbooks listed below, make a deposit and place your bets right away.
India vs. New Zealand – Betting Odds
Bet365 currently has India as a slight favorite with odds of 2.50 while the Kiwis are underdogs with odds of 2.75. The odds of the game ending in a draw are at 3.40. The weather is pretty good for most of the test match, with a possibility of rain on day 3. However, the weather is not expected to cancel a full day’s play.
Even if we end up losing a day, the ICC has made provision for a reserve day. We think that the reserve day will make a big difference and certainly help in giving us a result.
India – Always Struggle To Win First Overseas Test
India were playing the 2021 IPL before COVID-19 forced the BCCI to pause the tournament. They have had no warm up match in England and will definitely be at a disadvantage when facing New Zealand in the WTC on June 18. India have a history of playing poorly and losing the first test in overseas conditions.
They do have an experienced bunch of players led by captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma. Will they be able to quickly adjust to English conditions and cope with the swing and seam of Tent Boult and Tim Southee? Will their bowlers be able to quickly work out their line and length at the Rose Bowl and run through a strong Kiwi batting line-up?
We will have to wait and see!
New Zealand – Just Won Test Series In England
New Zealand are coming off a test series win against England in England. The first test ended in a draw but the Kiwis hammered England in the second test and won in 4 days. They won the second test without their captain Kane Williamson and seamer Tim Southee.
The Kiwis are going to be back at full strength for the WTC as Williamson is expected to return and captain the side. Their opening batsman Devon Conway has been in tremendous form and just won the man of the series award.
New Zealand will go into the WTC with a lot of confidence and will be keen on winning the toss and making India bat first and running through them. If they win the toss, it will be another advantage for New Zealand.
India vs. New Zealand – Our Predictions
While the bookmakers have India as the favorite, we are going to back the Kiwis to win. The fact that they have had two back to back test matches in England, give them an unfair advantage over India. The Kiwis have never won an ICC World Cup and we believe that their hunger to win the WTC and recent experience in England give them an edge over India.
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