IND vs NZ, WTC Final Live: Jamieson bags Kohli and Pant, Rahane’s reliance ends, India 211/7 at lunch on Day 3

IND vs NZ, WTC Final Live: The Kiwis have started off Day 2 with a bang as they dismissed a well set Virat Kohli for 44. It was Kyle Jamieson who made it uncomfortable for the Indian batsmen with his disciplined line and length. Kohli tried nudging Jamieson towards the midwicket region, but failed, as the ball wrapped him onto the pads for an LBW. It was a comfortable decision for the umpire as he raised his finger. The vital half century stand between Kohli and Rahane came to an end.

Rishabh Pant dismissed cheaply

Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner didn’t make it easy for the Indian batsmen to get runs and suffocated them to a certain degree. Rishbah Pant had to go against his natural instincts and wait for quite a bit to get his first runs. Pant eventually struck a boundary, but was also out caught in the slip cordon in the very same over of Kyle Jamieson.

Ajinkya Rahane did display character under challenging conditions, and worked hard for his 49.  However, that’s where Neil Wagner stepped in and executed the perfect plan to get Rahane back in the hut. The fast bowler banged in a short pitch delivery, as Rahane tried pulling it, but straight to the fielder Tom Latham for a comfortable catch.

Ravindra Jadeja is settling in, while, Ravichandran Aswhin played a breezy knock of 22 runs from 27 deliveries, which could be of significance in the grand scheme of things. It was Tim Southee that got Ashwin out as he nicked it to the slip cordon.

Team India targeting 250?

Keeping in mind the constant cloud cover, the wicket, the big boundaries, and the wet outfield, Team India will be aiming to get close to 250.

As per cricketing experts, this match in spite of being a low scoring affair so far, still has a lot to offer.

As of now, Ravindra Jadeja is batting on 15, and is being accompanied by Ishant Sharma who’s on 2.

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