World Test Championship Final, India vs New Zealand: Southee Takes Two as India end with 64/2 at Stumps on Day 5

World Test Championship Final, India vs New Zealand: It has been pretty topsy-turvy cricket action in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Team India surely came fighting back in the Test match on Day 5 due to a superb bowling performance, however, in the overall context of this WTC Final, New Zealand are currently in the driver’s seat to come up with a possible result.

Tim Southee Removes India openers

The Kane Williamson-led New Zealand team took a crucial first innings lead of 32 runs. India’s opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started things in the final session of Day 5’s play on a tentative note. Kiwi pace spearhead Tim Southee bowled pretty disciplined lengths this time as he looked a bit wayward in the first innings. Southee bowled a beautiful in-swinger to trap Shubman Gill right in front of the stumps and provide New Zealand with the first breakthrough. Gill managed to score just 8 runs while facing 33 deliveries.

But then just when things were looking calm for India, Southee picked up his second wicket of the day in the form of Rohit Sharma.

World Test Championship Final, India vs New Zealand:

New Zealand’s most experienced paceman brought in use years of experience remarkably well to dismiss both the Indian openers in such a crucial passage of play in this IND vs NZ WTC Final. Rohit scored 30 runs off 81 balls that included 2 fours. In the last few overs of the day, Indian captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara pulled down the run-scoring shutter to keep the Kiwi bowlers at bay. At stumps on Day 5 of the WTC Final, India were 64 for 2 with a lead of 32 runs. Pujara is still batting on an unbeaten 12 runs while Kohli is 8 not out.

Stumps in Southampton ?

India finish the day on 64/2, with a lead of 32! Tim Southee claimed the wickets of the openers.#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/nz8WJ8wKfC pic.twitter.com/qlKrCVGAJn

— ICC (@ICC) June 22, 2021