New Zealand blunt India’s promising start in World Test final

SOUTHAMPTON AFP June 19, 2021: India were left looking to captain Virat Kohli after New Zealand struck twice in quick succession to end their promising start in the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton on Saturday.

After rain meant Friday’s first day was washed out without a ball bowled, Rohit Sharma and Shumban Gill shared a fifty stand after New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss in overcast conditions that promised to assist his powerful pace attack.

But both openers fell shortly before lunch on the second day, with India 120-3 at tea interval. Kohli was 35 not out and the experienced Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on 13. Experienced Cheteshwar Pujara was looking well set with skipper Kohli, but he was struck leg before by Trent Boult when India were 88.

First- change Kyle Jamieson made the breakthrough when he dismissed Rohit for 34 and the towering paceman had miserly figures of 1-10 in seven overs at lunch. India’s 62-1 soon became 63-2 when Gill was caught behind off left-arm paceman Neil Wagner for 28.

This match, the culmination of two years of series between the leading Test nations that ended with New Zealand qualifying ahead of India, is worth $1.6 million to the winners and $800,000 to the runners-up.

The India team lined-up for the pre-match national anthems all wearing black armbands as a mark of respect following the death of national track legend Milkha Singh at the age of 91.