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New Zealand crowned first World Test Champions, beat India by 8 wickets

By Mumbai Indians

The big Test was finally played, a result obtained too, and much to the enthusiasm of cricket fans across the world, history’s first World Test Champions were crowned today. New Zealand rightfully earned this unique honour by a clinical display of cricket throughout the tournament. 

New Zealand beat the Indian cricket team by eight wickets in the final Test to lift the coveted World Test Championship. 

Day 5 of the WTC had ended with India at 64/2, with a marginal 32-run lead over the Kiwis. Having lost two whole days due to rain, the WTC Final spilled over to the reserve day to decide the winner. 

There was no interruption by the weather gods today, allowing the full quota of cricketing action to mark the last day of this historic Test at Rose Bowl stadium. 

Session 1: Pant keeps India in the hunt despite Jamieson’s strikes 

The final day’s play started with Cheteshwar Pujara (12*) and Virat Kohli (8*) at the crease. It was a fierce battle between Kohli and Jamieson before the latter took out the former pretty early in the day. In his very next over, he took out Pujara too, and left India at 73/4 in 38 overs. 

Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant had a rescue mission on their hands now. After a flurry of boundaries and a promise of a steady partnership, Boult broke it by having Rahane edge the ball to the keeper. He departed for 15, and Ravindra Jadeja came in to take over from here. 

Keeping the scoreboard ticking was team India’s motto here and the batting duo got India to 130/5 before lunch was declared. Pant was at 28* (48) and Jadeja was giving him ample support, standing at 12* (20). 

Session 2: Kiwi bowlers restrict India, start their chase well 

The duo batted for about 8 overs before Neil Wagner got his first wicket of the innings when an uncertain Jadeja edged the ball to Walting. Ashwin came along, but soon after, Pant, who was looking pretty steady, fell to a beauty from Boult at 41, ending his fight at the crease, with India at 156/6. 

The Indian tail lasted only for the next 14 runs and 22 balls, and apart from three boundaries from Shami, who scored 13 (10), runs hardly flowed in. India were bowled out for 170, leaving the Kiwis with a 139-run target to chase. 

Tom Latham and Devon Conway started confidently in this session, batting to 19/0 in 8 overs before Tea was called. The equation looked this way - 45 overs, 120 runs, 10 wickets - and victory looked in sight for the Kiwis unless India orchestrated a miraculous downfall. 

Session 3: Kane, Ross make it easy for New Zealand

Ashwin gave India the first breakthrough soon after lunch. He took out Latham for 9, allowing an easy stumping for Pant. A handful of overs later, he removed Conway too with a delightful LBW, becoming the highest wicket taker overall in the WTC. 

The Blackcaps’ Captain Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor took charge when the team was at 44/2 in 18 overs. Calm, composed and well-paced, the duo carefully built the Kiwis innings ball-by-ball, run-by-run, making the rest of the chase look easy. 

Williamson 52* (89) and Taylor 47* (100) shared a 96-run for the third wicket partnership to take New Zealand to the historic cup with ease. 

It’s all smiles for New Zealand as they lift their first ICC trophy since the 2000 ICC Champions Trophy win. As for India, tough luck, boys. We loved seeing you fight and play, and thank you for giving us umpteen moments to celebrate and remember this team’s journey.