After a prolonged inaugural competition, the ICC World Test Championship final has arrived.
New Zealand booked their place in the match-up thanks to a phenomenal season and a brilliant home record.
While India left it late by defeating England at home to secure their place to take on the Blackcaps.
It's set to be a fantastic showdown as the two best teams in Test cricket go head-to-head.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the match.
When is the World Test Championship final?
The World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand will start on Friday, June 18, 2021.
The first ball will be bowled at 9.30pm AEST.
It will be a five-day Test match with the last day of play scheduled for Tuesday, June 22, 2021.
However, there is a reserve day in place for Wednesday, June 23 in case a full five days of play cannot be completed.
The reserve day can only be used to make up lost time in the previous five days.
Where is the World Test Championship final?
The World Test Championship final will take place at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England.
The match was originally slated to be played at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
However, the decision was made to move the match to Southampton to ensure the two travelling teams could remain in a biosecure bubble for the match and minimise the overall risk and impact of COVID-19.
How to watch the World Test Championship final in Australia?
After late negotiations, the World Test Championship final will be broadcast on Fox Cricket.
That means you can watch the match on Foxtel or using Kayo Sports.
You can sign up to Kayo Sports to watch the World Test Championship final LIVE.
The World Test Championship final will also be available to stream on the International Cricket Council's (ICC) app.
World Test Championship final squads
India Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance).
India announced a strong squad for the WTC final that will stay in the country for a five-Test series against India. KL Rahul and Wriddhiman Saha were both included in the squad but are awaiting fitness clearance.
New Zealand Squad: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, and Will Young.
New Zealand also named an extended squad for the WTC final with the players involved in a two-Test series against England before the match.
Captain Kane Williamson missed the second England Test but is expected to be fit to return for the WTC final.
What happens if the World Test Championship final is a draw?
If the World Test Championship final ends in a draw, or a tie, then India and New Zealand will be crowned joint champions.
The playing conditions for the match allow for a reserve day to make up for any lost time during the five days of the Test.
The reserve day will only come into play if net playing time is lost. The net playing time for a test is 30 hours (or six hours a day).
World Test Championship final prizemoney
The ICC announced a massive prizemoney pool for the winner of the World Test Championship final on Monday.
The winning team will take home US$1.6 million along with the ICC Test Championship mace.
The runners-up will take home US$800,000.
If the final ends in a draw or a tie, India and New Zealand will share the prizemoney for first and second place (US$1.2 million each).
The ICC also confirmed the prizemoney allocation for the other teams involved in the World Test Championship.
| Place | Prizemoney (US$) |
| 1st | 1,600,000 |
| 2nd | 800,000 |
| 3rd | 450,000 |
| 4th | 350,000 |
| 5th | 200,000 |
| 6th | 100,000 |
| 7th | 100,000 |
| 8th | 100,000 |
| 9th | 100,000 |
World Test Championship final odds
The punters can barely split India and New Zealand going into the inaugural World Test Championship final.
India started short-priced favourites but have gone out thanks to New Zealand's impressive second Test performance against England.
According to Sportsbet, India ($2.45) are currently marginally favoured for victory over New Zealand ($2.55).
The draw is currently placed at $3.70.
World Test Championship final weather
The weather forecast for Southampton ahead of the World Test Championship final is not looking promising in terms of getting a result.
It is currently forecast for rain to play a part in each of the five days in Southampton.
Day 1 of the Test in particular is forecast for 'heavy rain' according to the BBC.
A yellow warning has even been issued for the day because of a threat of thunderstorms.
India v New Zealand past results
New Zealand have won the last two Test matches between the two nations. Both of those Tests took place in New Zealand.
However, India won the three Test matches before that series in 2016.
- 29th February 2020 - New Zealand won by 7 wickets
- 21st February 2020 - New Zealand won by 10 wickets
- 8th October 2016 - India won by 321 runs
- 30th September 2016 - India won by 178 runs
- 22nd September 2016 - India won by 197 runs
World Test Championship ladder
| Rank | Team | Percentage | Points |
| 1 | India | 72.2% | 520 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 70% | 420 |
| 3 | Australia | 69.2% | 332 |
| 4 | England | 61.4% | 442 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 43.3% | 286 |
| 6 | South Africa | 37.8% | 204 |
| 7 | West Indies | 30.3% | 200 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 27.8% | 200 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 4.8% | 20 |
ICC World Test rankings
| Rank | Team | Matches Played | Ranking Points |
| 1 | New Zealand | 21 | 123 |
| 2 | India | 24 | 121 |
| 3 | Australia | 17 | 108 |
| 4 | England | 35 | 107 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 24 | 94 |
| 6 | West Indies | 24 | 84 |
| 7 | South Africa | 16 | 80 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 27 | 78 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 15 | 46 |
| 10 | ZImbabwe | 10 | 35 |