New Zealand have 'slight edge' over India in WTC final due to recent series against England, feels Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has questioned the timing of the England and New Zealand Test series which concluded recently. The two-match Test series was scheduled just before the ICC World Test Championship final, which is going to start on June 18. Tendulkar suggested this series could have been held after the WTC final, rather than before it.

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The Little Master expressed that this series was decided well before it was confirmed that New Zealand will play in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand won the series 1-0, dominating the hosts in both matches. Many experts have suggested that this series will provide a bit of advantage to the New Zealand team over Indians.

"I don't know when New Zealand vs England series was decided. I'd like to believe that it was decided way in advance, way before New Zealand booked their spot in the final. Maybe it's a coincidence. This England vs New Zealand series was not going to contribute to the WTC Final… so maybe the WTC Final first and then this series (could have been staged),” Tendulkar said during an interview with Times of India.

The legendary batsman further noted that New Zealand has played a couple of Tests in these conditions and it will highly benefit them. India reached Southampton quite early but was only scheduled to play some intra-squad matches, without any proper practice matches.

"This is, without any doubt, another way to look at it. New Zealand will have that slight edge because they've played the two Tests against England while India haven't had practice matches except for playing between themselves," Tendulkar added.

The former Indian batsman also expressed that the ICC World Test Championship final should have been contested over a series and not just as a one-off clash.