IND vs NZ, WTC final: Kane Williamson's captain's knock hands New Zealand deserving Test title

India continues to fight against New Zealand in the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. As the Test has entered Day 6, thanks to persistent rains, things are seemingly headed for a draw.

New Zealand trumped India by eight wickets on Day 6 to win the ICC World Test Championship 2019-21 final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday. Skipper Kane Williamson's engaging knock of 51 outplayed the Indian bowlers to hand NZ its maiden ICC title.

Winning the toss, NZ had asked India to bat while it was bundled out for 217, with Jamieson claiming five. As for NZ, it was shot out for 249, with Devon Conway (54) being the top scorer, while India regained a lead of 32 at the end of Day 5.

Resuming at the overnight score of 64/2, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli looked to survive the early hour. However, just seven runs later, the latter departed for 13 to Jamieson after edging it behind to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Just a run later, Pujara followed Kohli back, falling for 15 to the same man, edging it to Ross Taylor in the slips. In came vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and contributed to a 35-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Just when it seemed the pair were getting into the rhythm, at 109, Rahane was dismissed for 15 to pacer Trent Boult, edging it behind to Watling. While it marked the arrival of number one all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, together with Pant, the duo has put in 21 runs, as India led by 98 during lunch break.

Resuming post lunch, the pair could add 12 more before Jadeja fell for 16 to pacer Neil Wagner after edging it behind to Watling. While Pant seemed to be going good, he could not continue long either, as 12 runs later, at 156, Boult made by caught by Henry Nicholls for 41.

At the same score, all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin fell for just seven to Boult, caught by Taylor at slips. The incoming batsmen could hardly add anything more thereon. Mohammed Shami (13) and Japsprit Bumrah (0) fell to Southee after being taken by Latham at 170, thus handing NZ a target of 139 in approximately 53 overs.

As for the Kiwis, four pacers have been utilised, with Tim Southee being the most effective. Meanwhile, Jamieson put pressure on the Indians with his economy.

With NZ coming out to bat, the openers Conway and Latham went off to a patient start. At the tea break, the side remained unharmed at 19/0 after a couple of overs, while it needs 120 runs more to win the championship.

Following the tea break, the pair added 14 more runs before Latham was stumped for nine off Ashwin. Just 11 runs later, Conway followed him back for 19 after being trapped leg-before by the same man.

However, following the arrival of Williamson and Taylor into the crease, it was game over for India. The duo contributed to an impressive 98-run stand, as the Indian bowlers were clueless on how to get rid of the pair. Williamson scored his 33rd Test half-century, as NZ comfortably rode to an eight-wicket win.

Meanwhile, the Indians used five bowlers. Off-spinner Ashwin was the most effective, scalping thew two wickets, while he was also the most economical of all.
Brief scores: India 217 & 170 (Pant- 41; Southee- 4/48) lost to New Zealand 249 & 140/2 (Williamson- 52*; Ashwin 2/17) by eight wickets.

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