WTC Final: Dinesh Karthik plays down New Zealand advantage, says ‘it's going to be even-steven after 1st hour’

Cricket experts feel New Zealand will have an edge over India in the WTC Final as they played a two-Test series in England but Dinesh Karthik says the contest will be played on equal terms in Southampton from Friday.

Dinesh Karthik is one of the few cricketers who feels New Zealand's advantage of having played in England before the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final is only going to last for the first hour of the summit clash when they take on Team India in Southampton from June 18. Cricket experts feel New Zealand will have an edge in the WTC Final because of their preparations which included a two-Test series in England which they even won 1-0. India on the other hand, have only played intra-squad matches in the lead up to the all-important match at the Ageas Bowl.