WTC Final: Don't think India owe New Zealand any thank you or anything - Sunil Gavaskar

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Batting great Sunil Gavaskar in his usual blunt mannerism has stated that India, who qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final on Monday, don't owe New Zealand any thank you.

Notably, the qualification scenarios ahead of the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was such that India had to either beat Australia or hope New Zealand to win any of their two Test matches of the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. The possibility of the first scenario being executed evaporated soon on Day 5 after Australia lost just one wicket in the first session and it was certain that the fourth Test in Ahmedabad would end in a draw.

But as the two teams went for Lunch on Monday, almost 1300 kms away in Christchurch, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka in a last-ball thriller to fire India into the WTC final. Fans in India erupted with joy and thanked New Zealand and their former captain Kane Williamson for beating Sri Lanka by two wickets and paving India's way to the Oval final against Australia from June 7.

However, Gavaskar has quite bluntly stated that Indian cricket doesn't owe "any thank you or anything" to New Zealand. He added that India have played outstanding cricket and deserve to qualify for their second consecutive WTC final.

WTC Final: India have been brilliant in last two years

"I don't think India owe New Zealand anything. India have played outstanding cricket over the years to qualify, to be the No.2 team, whatever you might say," Gavaskar told India Today in an exclusive interaction.

"New Zealand won, fine, it's good for New Zealand cricket, but I don't think Indian cricket owes New Zealand cricket any thank you or anything of that sort. Because India have played quite outstanding cricket over the last two years since the 2021 World Test Championship final and therefore, they deserve to be in the finals on their own and not with anybody's help," Gavaskar added.

Notably, India had lost the final of the inaugural WTC against New Zealand in 2021. The side would be hoping to beat Australia and lift their first ICC trophy after 2013.