India v NZ World Test Championship Final – 18/06/2021

India v New Zealand World Test Championship Final – Betting Tips, Latest Odds, Predictions – 18/06/2021

India and New Zealand meet to decide who will be crowned the first winners of the World Test Championship.

Discover our free cricket predictions for this contest.

India v New Zealand World Test Championship Final – Match Preview

New Zealand have a decent record against India when they get them away from home conditions.

The Black Caps won the last Test series and ODI series between these two sides in 2020 and head here on the back of Test success over England.

India will be in good spirits themselves after their own comprehensive Test series win over England at the start of the year.

Where: Rose Bowl, Southampton

When: Friday, 18 June 2021

Start time: 15:30 IST (10:00 GMT)

Pitch conditions: India have lost their last two Test matches at this venue, in 2014 and 2018. They did, however, pick up a few victories here during the Cricket World Cup in 2019. The Rose Bowl is usually a decent batting surface but spinners can have some joy.

Weather conditions: There is likely to be overcast conditions for this Test match and a slim chance of some light showers in the first couple of days. Temperatures will be around 20 degrees throughout.

India v New Zealand World Test Championship Final – Latest Odds

India are made the slight favourites to take the win. They can be backed at 2.09 with 22Bet.

New Zealand are priced at 2.25 with the same betting site. The draw is available at 6.0.

India v New Zealand World Test Championship Final – Team News

• Virat Kohli – India skipper Virat Kohli has previously enjoyed playing at this venue. He scored 171 in four innings at an average of 42.75. He can have another big impact.
• Ravindra Jadeja – All-rounder Jadeja enjoyed a stunning start to the IPL and can carry that form into the Test side. He took five wickets in his only Test match in Southampton and will be eyeing more.
• Rishabh Pant – The wicketkeeper-batsman has had a find start to the year to nail down his place in this team. He can score more big runs in the middle-order.
• Trent Boult – The New Zealander pacer could come into the side for the final after missing the 1st test against England. He could potentially replace Colin de Grandhomme with Kyle Jamieson taking on more all-round responsibilities.
• Devon Conway – The 29-year-old had a superb Test debut at Lord’s when he hit a double century against England. He will be looking to take the fight to India here.
• Kane Williamson – The Black Caps captain will have a big role to play in this clash but could do with a big score after a few recent early dismissals.

India v New Zealand World Test Championship Final – Betting Tips and Predictions

This looks like being a really close clash between the top-ranked Test teams.

New Zealand have been in good form and have a recent victory against India on their record.

Back New Zealand for the Win

Siding with New Zealand to get the win looks the best bet at the prices.

While India have a wealth of options to call on, New Zealand have a settled side that is working well as a unit. They have won 10 of their last 12 Test series.

One of the biggest factors that could help New Zealand upset India are the playing conditions in England. Conditions are much more similar to what the Black Caps are used to back home.

The way they put England to the sword in their last game shows just how strong they have become, especially as it came after making a host of changes to their line up.

Add in New Zealand’s recent Test and ODI success against Kohli’s men and they look appealing at 2.25 with 22Bet.

How India deal with the pace attack of Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in overcast conditions will be crucial to how this one plays out.

New Zealand to Have Highest Opening Partnership

One area of note in this New Zealand outfit has been the inconsistency of their openers.

However, Devon Conway was excellent in the first innings at Lord’s and his inclusion certainly makes them stronger.

Tom Latham keeps getting decent starts but doesn’t convert them to bigger scores as often as he should, though Conway’s confidence can help him.

It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma or Shubman Gill have never opened in England before. This opens the door to them finding it a little too tricky against a very experienced and dangerous pace attack early on.

It would be no surprise to see one of them fall early here, especially Gill who didn’t have the best time against England when last in action.

New Zealand are priced at 1.85 to have the highest opening partnership with 1xBet.

Jadeja for Player of the Match

It might be a longshot bet but backing Ravindra Jadeja to shine in Southampton is very appealing.

The all-rounder was in sparkling form in the Indian Premier League, taking wickets, making runs and also a host of remarkable outfield catches.

The last time he played at this ground in a Test match, which was back in 2014, he took five wickets in the game despite India’s defeat.

His price of 19.0 with bet365 to be player of the match looks a little too big to ignore.

Uncover our round-up of the best bets for this fixture.