(Info4now)- A top-class player and a trophy-less captain of the crew—Virat Kohli has everything to frustrate now. Coincidently, all his failures in the class competitions came in England. To win in the final, Virat needs something that is missing in the team. The strength of finishing things off in a slow but steady process overtook India’s championship run. And New Zealand were with their plan—knowing their strength, India’s weakness. If it was fifty-fifty at the close of Day 5 of WTC Final 2021, a prominent edge in Day 6 left India behind.
Post-match Review
As India got bowled out scoring 217 in the first innings, New Zealand expected a healthy lead. But it was India’s bowling and a terrific captaincy from Virat that successfully stopped the Kewis. If it was Kyle Jamieson for New Zealand, Md. Shami blew out the opposition for India. I preferred Neil Wagner to Jamieson as a game changer in the preview of WTC Final 2021. But both were very crucial for New Zealand and an expected Ajaz Patel missed playing XI. Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling were sent back to pavilion more by Kohli than Ishant and Shami. India didn’t mind 32 runs lead as they finished Day 5 with eight wickets in hand.
Day 6
From the very start of the final day, New Zealand concentrated on dots even more than the wickets. It was an absolutely brilliant tactic from Williamson to control the fourth innings pressure. They left no stone unturned to kill both the time and the flow of runs. They never gave India a minimal hope of setting a target. India had to either bat out for long or get out. The latter happened as the beauty flashed out from consistent negative bowling from Wagner and Boult. As the ball started swinging less, Wagner and Boult hit the deck to earn a fair amount of bounce. And a comfortable Jadeja had to surrender to Wagner’s commitment.
NZ Chased It Down
Two consecutive world cups runners up New Zealand had to overcome that hangover and match the success of ICC Champions Trophy 2000. It was not easy at all to chase 139 in the final phase of a final day of test cricket. India had an excellent bowling line-up. But the greats are always greats. Ros Taylor had to finish this off— for his side, for himself too. The unfinished partnership between Kane and Taylor was the best from the WTC Final 2021.
To Conclude
Although considered as the best playing XI, India probably missed Hardik Pandya. On the other hand, New Zealand picked four premier fast bowlers who kept it very tight against India. It was an excellent tribute to retiring BJ Watling, experienced campaigner Tim Southee and 21st century playing legend Ros Taylor. For India, it’s time to break in the final. It’s time for Kohli to take off the pressure of the captaincy. India must be hoping he reaches three figures as soon as possible. We can expect both New Zealand and India again at the final stage of World Cup 2023.