Former captain Sunil Gavaskar says India's batting depth helps them bounce back from tough situations, as they face an upbeat New Zealand in the World Test Championship final this week.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India have a host of batting stars in their line-up including skipper Virat Kohli, his deputy Ajinkya Rahane and dashing opener Rohit Sharma.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, both spinners who have six Test centuries between them while batting in the middle and lower-middle order, are also expected to take to the field in the title clash in Southampton starting Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With Ashwin and Jadeja playing so well, India's batting depth is the envy of the cricketing world," Gavaskar, who is in England as a television pundit for the final, told AFP.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Yes, there could be the odd bad-innings like Adelaide, Australia, but this team is like a wonderful rubber ball, always bouncing back and keep on bouncing."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India crashed to a record low of 36 all out in the first Test in Australia last year before bouncing back to win the four-match series 2-1 in a dramatic final in Brisbane in January.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand, led by the world's top Test batsman Kane Williamson, head into the final with a recent 1-0 win over hosts England in a two-match series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gavaskar said once perennial underdogs New Zealand now have quality players in their team that have settled well in English conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"New Zealand is a team that has invariably flown under the radar and thus underestimated by the opposition," said Gavaskar, who was part of India's 50-over World Cup-winning team in 1983.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"They have one of the greatest batsmen in the world in their team as well as a pace bowler who will be among the greatest left arm pacers too. They will be high on confidence after the win over England."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India last played in March and are coming out of a stint in quarantine but Gavaskar believes the team would be hungry to perform.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"In terms of match practise, yes, the Indians may feel a bit undercooked but they will be hungry to get into action," said Gavaskar. "And will have the drive and energy since they haven't played competitive cricket for over a month."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gavaskar said India's "enormous self-belief" will drive them in England's changing weather conditions which pose a challenge to the batsmen.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India is expected to play three fast bowlers, led by yorker king Jasprit Bumrah and veteran Mohammed Shami, and two spinners in their starting line-up at the Ageas Bowl.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 71-year-old Gavaskar, who scored over 10,000 Test runs between 1971 and 1987, said the Indian bowling attack has the ability to bowl out an opposition twice in a five-day contest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"India has a terrific new ball attack and spinners who can take advantage of a pitch that should be drier in the months of August and September.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We have seen in recent times the Indian attack picks up all 20 wickets in just about every game."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will stay on in England after the World Test Championship final for a five-Test series in August and September.
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