New Zealand won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship with an eight-wicket victory over India at Southampton-England on Wednesday.
Needing 139 runs to win, the Kiwis achieved the target comfortably in the end after quick fall of openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway, on the WTC21 Final’s Reserve Day. Skipper Kane Williamson (52) and experienced Ross Taylor (47) stitched an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 96 runs to guide their side to glory. Ravichandran Ashwin took both the wickets before the Kiwis took control of the proceedings. Ashwin with 71 wickets, also topped the WTC 2019-21 bowlers list. Rising star Kyle Jamieson, who dismissed India captain Virat Kohli in both innings, was declared the player-of-the match.
Earlier, India were all out for 170 runs in their second innings. Rishabh Pant top-scored with 41 runs, helping India’s lead go past the three-digit mark, while Tim Southee (4/48) was the most successful bowler for New Zealand, who had won just one major ICC tournament prior to this success and that was back in ICC Knockout Trophy 2000 in Kenya.
Brief scores: India (217 & 170), New Zealand (249 & 140/2).
