by Abhai Sawkar It’s been months since there’s been an update on Bowled Through the Gate, and it couldn’t be a better way to kick things off with a pre-match fan-opinion analysis for the WTC Final between India and New Zealand. So it’s interview time, and today’s guest is none other than Vivek Barbhaiya, a passionate fan of Team India all the way from New Jersey, and it was awesome to get some quality pre-game insight for this momentous occasion. Abhai: First of all, how does it feel to see Team India in the WTC Final? What are your top three favorite WTC games leading up to this big game and why? Vivek: It feels amazing to have India in the WTC final. I do believe that India has dominated these past two years in test cricket and this is probably the best side we have ever had in terms of depth. My favorite game is, of course, the Gabba Test. That match was just incredible. To be in a situation where the series is going to be lost, Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar came in and scored 70s respectively on debut. My second-favorite game would have to be the second Australia v India Test match with stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane announcing India’s intentions of not backing down in the tournament after the 36 all out disaster and then Virat Kohli taking paternity leave. 3rd would be be second India England test match. This is because it was a do or die match, 1 down at home, I’d call the pitch a dust bowl, and Rohit and Rahane came up with a class innings to start off the match along with a nice little 50 odd from Pant. Set the tone for the rest of the series and then won 3 straight to qualify for a much deserved spot on the WTC final. Abhai: Great to hear! Who’s in your preferred India XI for the final as of now? Vivek: Here’s my best XI for the big game: Rohit Sharma Shubman Gill Cheteshwar Pujara Virat Kohli Ajinkya Rahane Rishabh Pant Ravichandran Ashwin Ravindra Jadeja Mohammed Shami Ishant Sharma Jasprit Bumrah Abhai: Anyone you feel who’s unlucky to miss out? Vivek: Definitely Mohammed Siraj. He’s a superstar and he proved it in the Border-Gavaskar series. From replacing an injured Shami, to leading the attack by the fourth test, he’s got grit and guts. I do believe he can offer good swing in England, but it’s unlikely he’ll be coming in for one out of Ishant, Bumrah, and Shami. Abhai: I’d have to agree there, since Siraj has created quite the strong first impression right from the get-go. Mayank Agarwal, to some extent, is unlucky as well. What would you say you’re most looking forward to seeing? Vivek: Yes, I want a good game, but then again, I want India to win. If India doesn’t, this will be yet another ICC trophy missed. That being said, I’m looking forward to seeing Kohli lead from the front. As of late his record in big games hasn’t been the best, namely the 2015 WC semifinal, 2017 Champions Trophy final, and the 2019 WC semifinal, so I would like to see him put together a big hundred in England in India’s first innings. And hopefully, there’s no bad weather. Abhai: Two strong sides are battling for supremacy in the Test arena, and it would be amazing to see a close contest. Is there anything about the opposition that you feel particularly wary about? Vivek: That would have to be the Blackcaps pace attack. Trent Boult's swinging ball in English conditions brings back the bad memories from the World Cup. Additionally, it will be interesting to see Kyle Jamieson with the Dukes ball, provided that he makes the XI. He could be deadly in English conditions if he doesn’t try too hard. Abhai: Absolutely, especially given how Jamieson has gotten off to an amazing start in Test cricket, taking 39 wickets in 7 games. Now if we go back to the 36 all out from the first Test in Australia, it’s fair to say that sometimes your worst failure can end up becoming a key motivating factor. India had a rough time during the NZ tour, and that series ended up a 0-2 loss. What are your takeaways from that series, and what do you feel India can do better, based on that experience? Vivek: To be honest, I just feel that India were pretty fatigued during that series. They had come off from several back to back series and the body language was not at all indicative of Virat’s India. Then again, I hope they can tackle the NZ fast bowling better in England as there will be somewhat similar swinging conditions. I also think that the Australia and England series in between have helped India solidify their best test XI with Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill stepping up. Abhai: Gill definitely has shown his adaptability in relatively unknown conditions, but even though he struggled at home against England, he undoubtedly has immense potential. And so far, Pant’s record is pretty self-explanatory, with plenty of heavy scoring at and away from home. Now where do you feel India has the edge over NZ? Vivek: Batting strength and depth. We have Jadeja and Ashwin at #7 and #8, according to my XI. Rohit is set at the top with Gill, Pant and Rahane in the middle. Kohli and Pujara holding it down at the top order. NZ has depth but I feel that the middle order can be exposed in the lower middle order. Abhai: Last, but not least, let’s segue to the series after the WTC Final. Rahul Dravid claims that India has a reasonably good chance to score another away series win, this time in England. How confident do you feel heading into that series, and what’s your overall take on the squad that’s been selected? Vivek: First of all, I would have to agree with Dravid. I would still give India a 50%-65% chance for winning the series. It won’t by any means be easy in England, but England need to figure out their batting lineup to compete. I think the squad is perfect, and I don’t believe they’ve missed anyone. I know there’s been talk about Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Panya. While they are solid Test players, I don’t see them making the current XI or even top 14/15 for that matter. Hardik I can maybe see on the top 14/15 but not Bhuvi.
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