June 23, 2021
2 mins read

New Zealand crush India, clinch WTC title

This is an apt redemption for New Zealand, who had lost the final of the last two 50-over World Cups, in 2015 and 2019….reports Asian Lite News

New Zealand coasted to an unlikely eight-wicket win on the sixth — and reserve — day of the World Test Championship final against India at the Hampshire Bowl on Wednesday.

This is an apt redemption for New Zealand, who had lost the final of the last two 50-over World Cups, in 2015 and 2019.

The match, in which two days were lost to rain, saw a strong performance from Kiwis on the reserve day as their bowlers ran through the Indian batting line-up and dismissed them for just 170 runs. And then they scaled the 139-run target through a 96-run third-wicket partnership between Kane Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 not out).

India got a sniff of victory when off-spinner R Ashwin removed the two openers early and bowled a tight line to Taylor. However, Taylor smashed Ashwin for two boundaries in one over to break the shackles and then coasted along.

Earlier, India, who started the day at 64/2, lost three wickets — skipper Virat Kohli (13), Cheteshwar Pujara (15), and Ajinkya Rahane (15) — in the first session to go to lunch at 130/5.

Kyle Jamieson (2/30) removed Kohli and Pujara while Rahane fell to Boult (3/39).

Post lunch, India kept losing wickets as the tail failed to wag once again. Rishabh Pant, who was the innings top scorer with 41 runs, was the last hope for India but he fell to a rash shot as the seventh wicket with the score on 156.

Pace bowler Tim Southee picked four wickets for 48 runs to end as the most successful New Zealand bowler.

Indian seamers, in response, failed to make an impact on a pitch where New Zealand bowlers looked unplayable. Barring a brief spell during which Ashwin unsettled the Kiwis by removing Devon Conway (19) and Tom Latham (9), the entire bowling unit looked innocuous.

This is New Zealand’s sixth successive win over India in ICC tournaments, dating back to World T20 in 2007.

Brief scores: India 217 all out in 92.1 overs and 170 all out in 73 overs (R Sharma 30, R Pant 41, T Southee 4/48, T Boult 3/39, K Jamieson 2/30); New Zealand 249 all out in 99.2 overs and 140/2 wkts in 45.5 overs (K Williamson 52 not out, R Taylor 47 not out)

ALSO READ: WTC final: India bowled out for 170, NZ need 139 to win

Previous Story

UK economy sees strong growth despite inflation

Next Story

India bite the dust in WTC final

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan in the Dark: Power Crisis Boils Over

Regular power outages are a fact of life in Pakistan, but recent developments suggest that the situation is escalating to new extremes….writes Nasir Khattak In early January 2025, a nerve-breaking power outage

Modi, MBZ talk big ties

The call reaffirmed their keenness to “strengthen relations in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities and deepen strategic cooperation.”…reports Asian Lite News In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra

It’s Official: Trump Slaps 25% Tariff on India

Trump issues executive order formalising India’s tariff at 25 pc…reports Asian Lite News New York, Aug 1 (IANS) As the deadline for tariffs neared, US President Donald Trump imposed the threatened tariff

Balochistan not for sale, Trump told

Mir Yar Baloch asserted that Trump’s recognition of the oil and mineral reserves in the region is “indeed accurate.”…reports Asian Lite News Just after US President Donald Trump announced to help Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Play without fear’, Ganguly tells Team India

Fans had high hopes from India at the World Test

Indian tail’s woes continue in 2nd innings

Earlier, the last four wickets aggregated only 35 runs here