In the WTC Final, New Zealand held nerves against India to be crowned the Test World Champions on the reserve day of a Test that very much looked to conclude in a draw. In the reserve sixth day, Indian team lost the sight of plot and got bundled out to give the Kiwis an easy target. In return, New Zealand achieved the target with 8 wickets in hand.

Contents hide
Background
Details
Kiwi Bowlers decimate Indian Batting
Kiwi Completes the chase comprehensively
Interesting Stats Registered after WTC 2021 Final
1) New Zealand win first ICC tournament in 2 decades
2) Kohli 1st Captain to lose 2 ICC Tournament Finals in multiple formats
3) R Ashwin Highest Wicket-Taker in WTC

Background

After India’s defeat, some heartwarming stats came from the sides of Kiwi and certain worrisome stats came from the Indian side. While New Zealand overcame their ‘choker’ tendencies and won its first ICC event since 2000, India suffered its third loss in the knockout stage of an ICC tournament.

Earlier, New Zealand had defeated India in 2000 to win the Champions Trophy, but since then, had been knocked out in semi-final or final. India on the other side have lost in the 2019 World Cup semifinal, and 2017 Champions Trophy final.

Also Read: Eng VS Ind W: On the back of father’s death & injury, Sneh Rana gives sensational all-round performance

Details

With a major chunk of the Test washed out, the match slipped into the reserve day with India 32 runs ahead of Kiwis. While most anticipated that the blazing sun shall help the batting duo of Kohli & Pujara, both the batsmen were sent back to the dressing room within the first 30 minutes of the 1st session.

Also Read: Sonu Sood Denies Gifting His Son Rs 3 Crore Swanky Car on Father’s Day

Kiwi Bowlers decimate Indian Batting

It was Jamieson again who was spitting fire and not giving Indian batsmen any breathing room, let alone room to open their arms. Rishabh Pant & Ajinkya Rahane came to the middle, and for a while, it looked like the boat had steadied, but soon Rahane was sent packing at 15 off 40 by Boult.

Only Pant & Ravindra Jadeja seemed to be able to fight the quartet of Jamieson, Wagner, Boult and Southee. They both added 33 for the 6th wicket before Wagner trapped Jadeja to give an outside edge. With Jadeja out, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson tightened noose around Pant and didn’t let him score runs.

The drought of runs got better of Pant who was playing at 41 off 88 and in frustration, he swung the bat and deposited the ball in the safe hands of Henry Nicholls. Once Pant was dismissed, it was an end for the Indian hopes as tailenders could not put up a fight. From 142/6, India was dismissed for 170 with a minuscule lead of 138.

Also Read: Shafali Verma’s historic 96-run knock puts India on Top before Team Collapses

Kiwi Completes the chase comprehensively

Chasing a target of 139, New Zealand held its nerves and remained unscathed till Tea. After tea however, Ravichandran Ashwin gave some hopes as he got rid of Conway and Latham in quick succession.

The Indian fielders too looked energetic and were trying to stop the runs – to prolong the inevitable. It took Taylor close to 3 overs to score his first run, but Williamson was on his classy best and together the duo stitched a winning partnership.

Also Read: Music Day 2021: Sachin Tendulkar Shares Throwback Video of his Singing Debut with Sonu Nigam

Interesting Stats Registered after WTC 2021 Final

1) New Zealand win first ICC tournament in 2 decades

The last time Kiwis won an ICC trophy was way back in 2000. Serendipitously, it was Indian team that was bested by Kiwis in the ICC Knockout Trophy.

2) Kohli 1st Captain to lose 2 ICC Tournament Finals in multiple formats

Under Kohli’s captainship, India has lost another ICC Tournament. Earlier, India also lost the ICC Champions Trophy Final in 2017. With the WTC final loss, it’s the second format that India have came so close yet have remained so far from.

3) R Ashwin Highest Wicket-Taker in WTC

With his 2 wickets in the final inning of the WTC final, Ashwin surpassed Stuart Broad and Pat Cummins to be on the top of highest wicket-taker list.