Former India batsman VVS Laxman has put his weight behind the Indian side and has said that the Virat Kohl-led team will start as favourites in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against New Zealand.
The former right-handed batsman further added that both the teams are pretty good and balanced but the Indian team has played a different brand of cricket over a period of time.
"I believe that both teams are evenly matched. I believe that because this is a one-off match - and not a series - whichever team bats well in the first innings, will have the edge and that side will dictate the terms throughout the match. Both the teams are good, but I think India will start as favourites because of the way the Indian team has played - not only over the last couple of years, but over a period of time," Laxman told Sportstar.
Mentioning about the four-match series against Australia where India made a fine comeback after getting bundled out for 36 in the first encounter to eventually win the series 2-1, former India Test mainstay lavished praise on the youngsters and the kind of fight back they unleashed during the tour Downunder.
"They have embraced the challenges and have overcome whatever obstacles they faced - as recently as the Australia series - and there's a lot of talent and depth in this Indian line-up,” he said.
The Indian team has landed in the UK and will play the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton which will be followed by a five-match series against England scheduled to begin in August. New Zealand on the other hand are battling it out against England in a two-match Test series.