Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad feels that a high-on-resources India has got all bases covered to get past a high-on-confidence New Zealand in the World Test Championship final beginning June 18 at Southampton.
“Two best teams are playing the final. India have got a lot of options as their bench is also very strong,” Prasad told PTI on Monday.
“Be it a batting or seaming track, India have got the upper hand for the simple reason: In early 90s and later 2000s, there will be two good seamers but the team did have not a third or fourth option.
“Now the squad has got the strength of that and a couple of very good all-rounders. We always had world-class spinners but now we also have a world-class pace attack.”
Prasad formed the new ball pairing alongside the great Javagal Srinath in his heydays. Prasad said he expects India to dominate the game.
“And we also have the batting to 350 runs on the board. Now we have got everything covered. It doesn’t matter what sort of a pitch it would be. It should be India all the way,” he said.
Talking about the playing eleven, Prasad said it will be a straightforward decision for captain Virat Kohli.
He himself wants to play both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja with three pacers – Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
“Ashwin and Jadeja and three fast bowlers seem to be the best combination. Bumrah, Shami and Ishant sharma have the experience of playing in different conditions, they know their roles very well.
“The strategy is very simple. Who can make use of the new ball better? Both Bumrah and Shami have got an amazing seam position and great control over line and length.
“I am surprised that Ishant is considered number three even after playing 100 Tests. He also has a lot of experience of playing county cricket in England.”
