WTC Final: IPL 2021 suspension gives edge to Virat Kohli’s India, feels Ross Taylor

The IPL 2021, which was suspended earlier this month due to multiple cases of COVID-19 inside its bubble, was due to finish on May 30, while the WTC final between New Zealand and Indian is scheduled to start from June 18 in Southampton.

Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor feels the suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ‘played into India’s hands’, giving Virat Kohli’s team more time to get acclimatised to English conditions before next month’s World Test Championship final. The IPL 2021, which was suspended earlier this month due to multiple cases of COVID-19 inside its bubble, was due to finish on May 30, while the WTC final between New Zealand and Indian is scheduled to start from June 18 in Southampton. “For India, IPL finishing early under unfortunate circumstances has probably played into their hands a little,” Taylor told reporters in Southampton on Sunday. “If IPL would have gone on they would have had a smaller preparation but now they will be a lot more conditioned, their bowlers will have their loads up,” he added. However, Taylor reckons New Zealand will still have slight advantage over India as they are are scheduled to play two Tests against England in the run up to the WTC final. “I would be lying if you think there isn't some sort of thought about the WTC final but I couldn’t think of a better preparation than playing two Tests against England. At the end of the day it’s a neutral venue.