WTC Final 2021: What will happen if India vs New Zealand WTC Final ends in a draw or tie?

India vs New Zealand: The two top-ranked teams will lock horns in a high-octane clash at a neutral venue next month.

It was this morning that ICC (International Cricket Council) released the final playing conditions to be followed in the historic final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship between New Zealand and India next month.

It is worth mentioning that the World Test Championship had commenced with Ashes 2019 right after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. While the finalists are concerned, they were decided in the last series of the league stage when India hosted England for four Test matches earlier this year.

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced the global body to tinker with the criteria of qualification midway, they had no other option to ensure that the final of the tournament was played as per the original schedule.

What will happen if India vs New Zealand WTC Final ends in a draw or tie?

In what will be the first-ever India vs New Zealand Test match at a neutral venue, it will entice fans from all round the globe due to its novelty.

Considering how the final match of 2019 Cricket World Cup had ended, it was highly likely for the ICC to not complicate things too with respect to announcing a winner in case of a drawn or tied match.

Having said that, one doesn’t see the match ending in a draw primarily because of the bowling attacks of the two teams involved. Playing in the English conditions, the tried and tested Indian and Kiwi bowlers should be able to pick 20 wickets in a five-day match to ensure a clear result.

In the playing conditions announced today, ICC made it a point to mention that both teams will be declared as joint-winners of the Test Championship provided the match ends in a draw or a tie.

In addition to this rule, ICC also confirmed several other key areas namely Reserve Day, Short Run, Player Review and DRS Review.