After the day one of the historic World Test Championship Final (WTC) was washed out, fans were left fearing the worst. But once the play started on Day 2, the game lived up to its hype. New Zealand after winning the toss had asked India to bat, and the contest between bat and ball was intriguing from the get go.
DAY TWO:
Play finally began on Day two amid clouds and after a solid start India found themselves under weather. Rohit Sharma was the first to go dismissed by the impressive Kyle Jamieson. One run later Shubman Gill was back in the hut. And when the colossal figure of Pujara departed, lbw by Trent Boult, India were struggling at 88/3.
In came Kohli and found a solid ally in Rahane. The two stalwarts held the fort and took India to 146/3, before bad light interrupted and ended play on day two. The two batsmen held on in face of testing conditions and probing bowling by the Kiwis.
DAY THREE:
Kiwis began the day in full throttle, getting Kohli out in just the third over of the day. Indian captain’s dismissal triggered a collapse. The next 6 wickets falling for just 68 runs. Kyle Jamieson was the destroyer in chief, picking up 5 wickets. Rahane, top scored with 49 as India folded for 217.
New Zealand openers began their reply steadily like their Indian counterparts. Under overcast conditions, Devon Conway led the charge. The South African born batsman scored his second Test half century, battling for 153 balls. Ashwin finally gave India the breakthrough ending the opening stand by getting rid of Tom Latham, ending the 70-run opening stand .Kane Williamson arrived and looked solid for the remainder of the day.
But just before the end of the day, Ishant Sharma, India’s most impressive pacer on the day, removed Conway which left Kiwis at 101/2 at end of stumps.
If the weather gods are kind, we could have a fantastic next few days of Test cricket. The contest remains evenly poised. Also, with the reserve day in place, a decisive result from this game is on the cards. Fans will hoping that we get more of cricket and less of rain and bad light interruptions for this World Test Championship Final.