‘Balanced, well-equipped’

India’s Virat Kohli (right) celebrates the wicket of NZ’s Devon Conway during the World Test Championship final recently. Pic/Getty Images

When West Indies great Clive Lloyd talks about Test cricket contests in England, he ought to be taken seriously.

After all, he captained West Indies to three consecutive series wins there. In 1976, his team won 3-0 after rival skipper Tony Greig vowed to make them grovel. Four years later, he got the better of Ian Botham's side 1-0 while in 1984, David Gower's team were demolished 5-0. In short, the West Indies didn't lose a Test when Lloyd led them in England.

Clive Lloyd

UK-based Lloyd, who will be 77 next month, spoke to mid-day on the recent World Test Championship final which New Zealand won, India's plight during that game and how he sees the rest of the English summer panning out for Virat Kohli's Test giants.

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Edited excerpts:

‘Virat & Co need not worry'
I don't think the WTC final defeat will have any impact in India's forthcoming five-match Test series against England. Virat & Co will have sufficient time to adjust to English conditions before the series begins [in Nottingham on August 4]. They all have played here in England, but just need to adjust a bit, which they are capable of. India have a good, balanced side and are well-equipped.

‘They didn't rise to the occasion'
I was disappointed with the way the Indians played the WTC final. I don't think they were ready for such a big match. They have been playing a good brand of cricket in the last two or three years, but sadly, they did not rise to the occasion. They could have done better had they had some match practice.

‘Best of three finals? No'
I'm not very sure whether they should have three finals. If at all they plan for three games, then have two semi-finals and a final. In best of three finals, what if one team wins the first two? There would be no charm left for the third one, isn't it?

‘India had problems'
Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Jasprit Bumrah were far from their best. The openers could not provide solidity and the Indian batting failed in both innings. How can you win if you don't have runs on the board?

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