Test series against England will provide an edge to the New Zealand players: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman believes the Test series against England will provide New Zealand with an advantage going into the final as they will get used to the conditions. Laxman also added it is essential for a team to play one or two matches in overseas conditions before their main fixture. He feels New Zealand has the advantage of going into the final because they are playing a couple of Test matches against England, which will help them get adjusted to the conditions. He also added it is essential to play one or two games in overseas conditions, especially for the batsman, as they take time to settle in the new conditions.

The series win in Australia was a testament to India's character: VVS Laxman

VVS believes New Zealand's advantage wouldn't affect India much as they have been on top of the game recently. But he added that everyone saw how India played Australia in the recent Test series against Australia, where they showed character and intent. Moreover, this team doesn't know how to step back. Thus an intense training session before the fixture will keep them in a good position, he added.

After WTC, Virat Kohli and Co. will then take on England in the 5-match Test series. The five-match series against England in their home ground begins on August 4. The opening Test of the series is going to be held at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Both Indian men's and women's teams have reached the UK. The women's cricket team will play their one-off Test in Bristol from June 16-19. The entire team will also do their hard quarantine in Southampton and the men's team at Hotel Hilton, which is a part of the Hampshire Bowl property. After that, the women's team is expected to travel to Bristol to complete their hard quarantine in Southampton. Both Indian teams have already served a 14-day quarantine period (home plus hotel) in India.

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