World Test Championship final: Former captain Sourav Ganguly said Virat Kohli will be a proud man when he leads India onto the field in Southampton in the historic WTC final against New Zealand from Friday.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sourav Ganguly said Virat Kohli will be a proud captain when he leads India in WTC Final
• India take on New Zealand in the historic final in Southampton from June 18
• Ganguly said New Zealand will be high on confidence after their series win in England

Former India captain and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly said he hopes the first-ever World Test Championship trophy comes to India with India beating New Zealand in the final of the historic match, starting June 18 in Southampton.

Sourav Ganguly was sporting his India blazer as he spoke to AajTak in an exclusive interview on the eve of the WTC final. The celebrated captain said it will be a huge moment for India and the skipper Virat Kohli will be a proud man when he walks out to lead the side against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand at the Ageas Bowl.

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The WTC final will be the first championship match in the longest format in the 144-year history of Test cricket. Virat Kohli will be heading into the match, bidding to win his first-ever ICC title as captain of the senior national team.

India, who finished on top of the ICC World Test Championship table, have been playing consistent cricket, winning Test series against top teams like Australia (in Australia) and England at home. Ganguly said India’s victory in Australia earlier this year will be huge confidence when they step onto the field in Southampton.

“This is a very big moment for any cricketer, because a final of a Test Championship is being played for the first time. Test cricket is the highest point of any player’s career,” Sourav Ganguly said.

“Virat Kohli will be very happy and proud that he will be leading the team in the WTC Final. This team has played very good cricket over the last 2 years which is why they are in the final. The Australian series in particular, was special,

“I believe this team will enter the Ageas Bowl Stadium in Southampton with a different level of confidence,” he added.

‘New Zealand are in their best form’

Meanwhile, Ganguly also lauded Kane Williamson’s New Zealand side, saying they have been one of the most consistent sides, especially in ICC tournaments in the past. The former captain pointed out that the World No. 1 Test side will be high on confidence after having beaten England convincingly in a 2-match series in England earlier this month.

Williamson’s men displaced India from the top of the ICC Test rankings after beating England 1-0. New Zealand will be heading into the final on the back of 2 Test matches in England while India don’t have any match practice under their belt.

“I hope this trophy comes to India even though you cannot predict anything in cricket. But they are facing New Zealand who are playing in their best form.

“I have seen New Zealand cricket for a long time, and if you ask me then I feel this is their best side in the last 30-35 years. It is a balanced team, they just beat England in England. Their confidence will be really high, that is why I think it won’t be easy for India to beat them,” Ganguly added.