Indian fans will go to sleep with another heartbreak as New Zealand defeated India in the WTC Final. It is New Zealand’s first ICC trophy after 21 years and India’s sixth defeat in ICC’s knockout stage.
Venue: Rose Bowl, Southampton
Toss: New Zealand opted to bowl first
Detailed Match Report
First Innings (India 217)
New Zealand won the crucial toss and asked India to bat on 2nd day of the match as the first day washed out due to rain. Rohit and Gill put a solid half-century stand. New Zealand got three quick wickets in the span of half an hour. Kohli and Rahane came in the middle. Between this partnership, the game stopped various times due to rain and bed light. After 2nd day, India were three down on 146 with a half-century stand between skipper and vice-captain.
Jamieson picked Kohli after hard-fought 44 and India formed a collapse. Pant got out on four and Rahane missed out a fifty by just one run. Ashwin added some quick runs but lower-order batsmen didn’t deliver much as India bowled out on 217. They lost their last 7 wickets in just 68 runs. Kyle Jamieson bagged a fifer for 31. Boult and Wagner picked two wickets each.
Second Innings (New Zealand 249)
New Zealand openers gave a promising start despite some quality bowling from Shami and Ishant. Ashwin provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Latham. Conway completed his fine half-century and in the final over of the day, Ishant picked him to add some smiles on Indian fans. The fourth day washed out due to rain and Indian bowlers made good use of the conditions.
Kiwis formed a mini-collapse in the first session to see themselves struggling at 135/5. Ishant become the leading wicket-taker for India in England and Kane Williamson become the 2nd leading run-scorer for New Zealand in Test history. Shami bagged a 4-wicket haul and Ishant picked three. New Zealand added some key runs, in the end, thanks to Southee’s 30 and Kane’s gritty 49. New Zealand bowled out on 249 by adding a lead of 32 runs.
Third Innings (India 170)
India batted in the final session of the 5th day and New Zealand bowlers bowled brilliantly. Southee picked Gill early and later, Pujara and Rohit constructed the innings. Rohit was dismissed as the final wicket of the day after scoring a vital 30 and India finished day 5 on 64/2. Southee also picked his 600th international wicket in this game. Jamieson picked Kohli and Pujara in successive overs to give a solid start to the final day. Rahane also lost his wicket before the lunch session. Pant and Jadeja added some vital runs but New Zealand came stronger to find the wicket of Jadeja. Pant also threw his wicket after scoring the highest 41. India collapsed after this wicket and bowled out on just 170. Southee picked four wickets and India set the target of 139 runs.
Fourth Innings (New Zealand 140/2)
Conway and Latham made a good start and Ashwin provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Latham. He almost got Kane but the umpire’s decision was overturned. Ashwin picked his 2nd with the wicket of Conway and he become the leading wicket-taker in WTC with 71 wickets. Taylor joined Williamson and the duo looked solid. Pujara dropped a catch but both experienced batsmen took the game away from India. Williamson scored a half-century and Ross Taylor contributed 47. They avoided any drama in the final hour and become the first team to win the World Test Championship trophy. India suffered another defeat in ICC’s knock-out stage.
Star Performer of the Match
Kyle Jamieson is our star performer of the match. His spells in both innings set the tone for New Zealand. He picked 7 wickets in this game including a fifer in the first innings. He got Kohli in both innings and his morning spell on the final day opened the doors for New Zealand.
5 impactful players of the match
Kyle Jamieson 31/5 & 30/2
Devon Conway 54 & 19
Mohammad Shami 76/4
Tim Southee 64/1 & 30, 48/4
Kane Williamson 49 & 52
