WTC Final: Black Caps pass the Ultimate Test with flying colours

In a match where both teams seemed to be fighting against a common enemy, rain, for the first few days to produce quality entertainment for the fans, New Zealand emerged as a better side after the weather relented to allow the contest between the two teams.

They had pranced ahead after managing to secure a first innings lead of 32 runs, effectively leaving just two results possible in the game going into the reserve day of the match.

However, with full day’s of play under a shiny sky, all India needed was a bit of collapse from the Kiwis to increase their chances of securing a win. But for that they needed runs on the board.

Overnight batsmen captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara started with some intent before Kyle Jamieson’s probing lines thwarted their challenge.

Rishabh Pant’s live by the sword die by the sword game fetched some crucial runs, but a non-existent tail meant that India neither had enough runs to worry New Zealand, nor had they consumed ample overs to enforce a draw.

New Zealand’s cautious start developed a crack when Ravichandran Ashwin produced two quick wickets, making the silver line visible.

It had now become a straightforward tussle between the experience of Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson and the astuteness of Indian bowlers.

While Taylor gave them a few chances, which included an edge off Jasprit Bumrah to Pujara in the slips, the game had pretty much slipped out of India’s hands as Williamson at the other hand kept growing stronger with every delivery that he faced.

The attacking field from captain Kohli ensured enough gaps available for the Kiwis to milk runs as the game moved forward. The pleading fans looked up to the sky, bereft of the messenger of rains it shone brightly as India’s chances darkened.

And with Ross Taylor flicking Mohammed Shami for a four, the Black Caps sealed the first World Test Championship in the same country where they had found themselves an inch short of glory back in 2019.