Match Details

IND vs NZ Final, WTC Final 2021

team important image
NZ 249(99.2)
140-245.5
New Zealand won by 8 wickets
217(92.1)
IND
73.0170-10
team image
43rd Over:
3
0
0
4
3
0
 
= 10
44th Over:
0
2
0
0
2
4
 
= 8
Last Over:
0
0
2
0
0
0
 
= 2
This Over:
0
0
1
0
4
 
= 5

Commentary

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Highlights
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Inn 1
Inn 2
Inn 3
Inn 4
Milestone
Incredible Test match and despite almost a day and a half lost due to the weather conditions, it is a huge moment for New Zealand to still win it. That's all we have got for the commentary box. It was a pleasure for me and all of us in the comm box to bring all the live coverage throughout these 6 days. Till the next time, ta-ta and goodnight from me, Arya Sekhar Chakraborty and my fellow commentators Akshay Bhide, Kingshuk Kusari and Sourya Chowdhury.
Kane Williamson collects the Test Championship mace and it's time for New Zealand to celebrate.
Kane Williamson- Very special feeling, a couple of close ones [in ICC finals], nice to get one under the belt. I'd like to thank Virat and the Indian team, they're an incredible team, we know how much of a challenge it would be. It was great, the heart our team showed to get across the line, great Test match. I've been part of [NZ cricket] for a short while, it's a very special feeling, the first time in our history we've come away with a world title. We've had 22 players over the last two years, and they've all played their part and the support staff and the guys who played this match, it's a special achievement to be savoured. We know we don't always have the stars, we rely on other bits and pieces to stay in the game and be competitive. We saw a lot of heart and commitment to our style of cricket in this game, we know how strong this Indian side is, in all conditions. It's not always easy in a final, a one-off Test match, we respect that, and throughout all six days, it ebbed and flowed, no one really got the upper hand, and it came to the last day which was great for the fans. That was tough [batting in the first innings]. Amazing attack, they don't give you much to hit. We saw a lot of heart from the lower order who came in and tried to inch us into some sort of lead. It was a very sporting surface, and having only four days' cricket, there was always a chande of a result. Ross is very experienced and very calm in those sort of situations, it was nice to be in partnership with Ross and be there at the end. A special feeling we haven't had before. [BJ Watling] I don't know if he's retiring anymore, actually [chuckles]. He's a special member, a leader in our group, and really epitomises our team. A scrappy performance, which is close to his heart, because he's a scrappy player. A great occasion to celebrate, a great game of cricket, and obviously a great career which we'll celebrate."
Time for the winning skipper Kane Williamson to have a chat.
Virat Kohli- To have something of this context in Test cricket is massive, and to be standing up here is surreal. We knew we had a big first hour, and just to see how things panned out. We were hopeful they might pan out our way if we put the ball in the right place, but we knew this is a quality Indian team as well. It was nice to get the ball first up and to play a part, I guess. The work that Tim, Trent, Wags do, I just ride in on the back of that. It was good to bowl in the nets to him [Kohli at RCB], and to be here and go up against him over the last six days was awesome
Time for the losing skipper Virat Kohli to have a chat with Michael Atherton.
Kyle Jamieson- To have something of this context in Test cricket is massive, and to be standing up here is surreal. We knew we had a big first hour, and just to see how things panned out. We were hopeful they might pan out our way if we put the ball in the right place, but we knew this is a quality Indian team as well. It was nice to get the ball first up and to play a part, I guess. The work that Tim, Trent, Wags do, I just ride in on the back of that. It was good to bowl in the nets to him [Kohli at RCB], and to be here and go up against him over the last six days was awesome
The ICC World Test Championship Player of the Match is Kyle Jamieson.
Time for the post-match presentation ceremony.
BJ Watling- Ecstatic. Been a lot of hard work over a long period of time as a group. To get over the line is special. Chasing a total like that on a wicket that was offering a bit, was special from two of our greatest. No, I didn't imagine I'd end as a World Test Champion. My family back home, my mum has stood up for me in tough times, my wife Jess and the two boys - a thank you to all of them. It's been a hell of a journey. Huge support over the years from my mates. We've got a special group, this is a great way to finish
Ross Taylor: Still sinking in but it's been a couple of years coming. Lot of rain but the way the team fought from day one, to be out there in a crucial situation for a little bit, it's something I'll never forget. This would have to be the highlight of my career. At the start of my career, I felt we probably didn't have the side to do this. But am sure there are a few Kiwis waking up who will be very proud. There was a lot of pressure, it was nice to be standing up to it. 2019 World Cup was something that was very tough for us at the time, but this makes up for that. Over time, it'll sink in a little more.
Ross Taylor now having a small discussion with Simon Doull.
Tim Southee- We started this journey two years ago. To be sitting here as champions is special. There's a lot of hard work that has gone into it. Consistency comes to mind: consistency through performances, consistency in selection. We do a lot for each other. It's satisfying to achieve what we have. The turnaround dates back to beyond the last couple of years. The change room was a lot calmer knowing we had two experienced guys out there. Probably the longest 139 runs I've experienced. I think as any international sportsperson, you want to look for ways to get better. That's what I've gone. This group has pushed each other to get special, work on skills and fitness. BJ Watling sums up what this team means, we wanted to send him off with a win at the start of the tour. He's been a tremendous part of the side, he's given this team everything he's had, couldn't be happier for him.
Tim Southee having a chat with Simon Doull.
Arya: Williamson and Taylor both showed why they are the two of the very best New Zealand have produced. They soaked the pressure and looked unfazed during some crunch moments of the day. Taylor rode his luck as Pujara missed a catch a slip but by then the pressure was already soaked and the Kiwis were heading towards the target. Eventually, they played some shots during the final few deliveries of the match after showing enough patience. The winning run was hit by Taylor to make New Zealand the first World champions in Test cricket.
Arya: Tom Latham and Devon Conway looked assured right from the word go and barring a few beats here and there they looked at use during their partnership of 30 runs before Tom Latham came running down the track and missed a one which turned just a bit and Pant whipped off the bails in a flash. India would have been right back in the game had the onfield call was upheld when Williamson was given out of Ashwin. It was later reversed which proved to be a big moment in the game. Ashwin looked menacing and bagged Conway in quick time to put the Kiwis under pressure.
Arya: Rishabh Pant came in and did what he does, swing around a bit and trying to score runs. He rode his luck on a few occasions but scored a fighting 41 to give India a sniff. Wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Rahane was a bit unlucky to get out as it was a strangle down the leg side. Jadeja after surviving a few short deliveries from Neil Wagner he poked at one length delivery outside off and ended up giving an outside edge to Watling. Ashwin played a rash shot and a few boundaries from Mohammad Shami got India to 170 which meant the Kiwis needed to score 139 to win. Tim Southee and Trent Boult the two leaders of the pack bagged 4 and 3 wickets each to derail the Indian line-up.
Arya: It has to be New Zealand's greatest day in their cricketing history. They played some exceptional brand of cricket all throughout this match and are now deservedly crowned the first-ever World Test champions. When the final day began, all three results were possible. New Zealand was slightly ahead but the probability of a draw looked the most realistic result. However the Black Caps bowlers had other ideas as Kyle Jamieson snaffled out Virat Kohli early in the day to push India on the backfoot right from the word go. Pujara departed soon after India looked dazed.
Arya: History has been created. The New Zealand players start celebrating and why shouldn't they be. It has been a long long wait for the Kiwis and finally they manage to win an ICC tournament after 21 years. A fascinating Test match and fittingly Ross Taylor who has been a great servant of the game for New Zealand hit the winning runs. So fitting that both Taylor and Williamson who has been the two highest run-scorers for New Zealand in Test cricket stayed there till the end. This is a huge moment for them and now they are acknowledging the crowd for their support.
45.5 M Shami to R Taylor
4 FOUR TO WIN THE WTC! Taylor flicks it off middle into the air into the vacant square leg area for a legendary win for a small but proud nation which has finally got over the line after years of heartbreak
Commentary