India vs New Zealand, ICC WTC Final Day 5 Highlights: IND 64/2 in 30 Overs at Stumps
Day 4 of the India vs New Zealand clash was abandoned due to rain, and it was the second time after the very first day of the final that the entire play was washed out due to bad weather without a ball being bowled. As things stand, New Zealand will be the happier of the two sides but with the pitch and weather far from ideal, they will find it hard to bat.
Stumps | That's the end of day's play. India end the day on 64/2, effectively 32 runs. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli are the two unbeaten batsmen at the crease, batting on 12 and eight respectively. Do join us tomorrow, the reserve day, for all the acton.
OUT! India lose their first wicket. Tim Southee strikes. Shubman Gill is trapped in front of the wickets. End of the resisitance from Gill. S Gill lbw b Southee 8(33)
Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have responded well thus far. The conditions seem to be better for batting now and there's not much swing on offer. It is bright with sun out as well, not fully though.
So, New Zealand have secured a lead of 32 runs. Not a big lead but could be handy in these conditions. All eyes will be on how India responds now with the bat. This Test match is now moving towards an exciting finish.
OUT! Ravindra Jadeja gets the final wicket. Tim Southee is bowled after smashing the spinner for a six. With this, New Zealand secure a lead of 32 runs. T Southee b Jadeja 30(46)
OUT! India chipping away with wickets here! Ravi Ashwin picks his second wicket as he accounts for Neil Wagner. Duck for the batsman. N Wagner c Rahane b Ashwin 0(5)
OUT! BIG wicket this for India. Ishant Sharma removes all-important wicket of Kane Williamson. The New Zealand captain is caught at wide second slip. India back in the contest now. K Williamson c Kohli b Ishant 49(177)
New Zealand, meanwhile, have taken the lead. Massive relief for the Kiwis. India still in the game, it is just they have to pick the remaining New Zealand wickets quickly.
OUT! After being hit for a six, Mohammed Shami accounts for Kyle Jamieson. The tall batsman is caught at long-leg. Shami has now four wickets. K Jamieson c Bumrah b Shami 21(16)
The partnership between Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson is now worth 18 off 23 balls. The Blackcaps now trail by 36 runs. India will be itching pick another wicket here and put Kiwis under further trouble.
OUT! India chip away with another wicket. Colin de Grandhomme is trapped in front of the wickets. This is third wicket for Shami. India are on top now. de Grandhomme lbw b Shami 13(30)
New Zealand trail by 56 runs. Kane Williamson and Colin de Grandhomme are looking to build a partnership here and New Zealand need a big one. Meanwhile, India have taken a new ball.
Lunch Break | India have fought their way back and have picked three wickets this morning. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor did well to battle out the first one hour but then Mohammed Shami dismissed Taylor to open the gates for India.
OUT! Ishant Sharma strikes! Henry Nicholls is caught. Another blow to New Zealand. Indian bowlers fighting their way back. Nicholls is caught at second slip. H Nicholls c Rohit b Ishant 7(23)
OUT! Mohammed Shami strikes, finally a breakthrough for India. Shami looked like the only bowler to take the wicket and he delivered. Ross Taylor is caught at cover. Ross Taylor c Shubman Gill b Shami 11(37)
Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are being extra cautious and have thus far done well to deny India a wicket. Mohammed Shami has been introduced into the attack and he is getting some swing.
With rain playing spoilsport at the start of Day 5, the action is finally underway in Southampton. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are the two players on the crease for New Zealand and the veterans will be aiming for a solid start. Meanwhile, India will hope to make inroads as soon as possible.
UPDATE! With rain delaying the start of Day 5's play, the scheduled timings of the sessions have been changed to accommodate the loss of time. A total of 91 overs are expected to be bowled today.
India and New Zealand continue to battle in the World Test Championship Final with the aim of becoming the first-ever world Test champion. Day 5 of the finale is being played at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Southampton on June 22, 2021 (Tuesday). Rain has hampered most of the play with Day 1 and Day 4 being washed out due to bad weather some play is expected to resume on the scheduled final day. Meanwhile, we bring you IND vs NZ, WTC Final 2021 live score along with commentary. Southampton Weather Today, IND vs NZ ICC WTC Final: Hourly Rain Forecast & Weather Update for Day 5.
Day 4 of the India vs New Zealand clash was abandoned due to rain, and it was the second time after the very first day of the final that the entire play was washed out due to bad weather without a ball being bowled. As things stand, New Zealand will be the happier of the two sides but with the pitch and weather far from ideal, they will find it hard to bat and post a mammoth score. IND vs NZ WTC Final 2021: Rain Abandons Play on Day 4.
Live Cricket Scorecard
Devon Conway was once again the pick of the New Zealand batsmen as the left-hander scored yet another half century at the top of the order but wasn’t able to convert it into another three-figure score. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are at the crease for New Zealand but India will back themselves and hope of taking advantage of the overcast conditions and dismiss the Black Caps without allowing them to take the lead in the game.
It is likely that the reserve day (June 23) will come into play as it looks highly unlikely that we will have a result today. Both sides will be looking to take giant leaps towards victory as they aim to become the first ever World Test champion.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2021 02:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).