New Zealand will have an advantage due to acclimatization factor, feels Dilip Vengsarkar

The Indian team will travel to England this week for a rather long tour, with the side slated to play six Test matches, including the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. While the Kane Williamson-led side have already set up their base in London, with the first Test against England set to take place from June 2, India will have to go through a long quarantine. Dilip Vengsarkar believes that it will keep the Kiwi nation in good stead ahead of the Southampton showdown.

"New Zealand will have an advantage because they play two Tests before the WTC final. It will help them. How quickly India adapts to the conditions will be important. But, New Zealand would have already had two Tests experience and would be playing in their third Test on the trot against India, while it will be the first on the tour for Kohli And Co," Vengsarkar told News18.

The former Indian batsman is worried about players’ mental health because of the insane number of days they will have to spend in quarantine.

"It is a very big season for the Indian players. It will be tough to stay in the bio-bubble for such a long time. It will definitely take a toll on the players’ mental health because they have to stay in the bio-bubble and also perform at their best all the time. The Indian team is doing extremely well in recent times. But, of course, England in England will be an interesting opposition. How the Indian team acclimatises to the English conditions quickly is what would matter most. India is in good form. The team is well settled. It is a good all-round team and I am sure they will do well," he added.

"They may have got used to the bio-bubble but it may not be the best for everyone concerned. It is tough, being in a bio-bubble and performing to your best. It is such a long tour. It may be okay for a short tour, maybe a month or so, but it is going to be a four-and-a-half-month tour. It is going to be tough on players from both sides."

The Indian team are currently quarantining in Mumbai and is slated to travel to England on Tuesday.