Tim Southee took both India’s wickets
India were 64 for two in the second innings when the rain stopped play on the fifth day of the World Test final. India captain Virat Kohli (8 *) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 *) are at the crease. India currently have a 32-run lead. With only five days left in the match, the match will end in a draw. In that case, the ICC will declare both teams joint winners.
Batting in the second innings, India lost openers Rohit Sharma (30 off 81 balls) and Shubhman Gill (eight off 33 balls). Both were dismissed by Tim Southee.
Earlier, New Zealand were all out for 249, following India’s first innings score of 217. They had a 32-run lead in the first innings. The Kiwis were bowled out in front of Mohammad Shami’s brilliant bowling performance. Shami took four wickets for New Zealand. Ishant Sharma took three wickets for India. New Zealand’s top scorer was opener Devon Conway with 54 runs. Skipper Kane Williamson was dismissed for 49.
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New Zealand, who started the fifth day at 101 for two on the fifth day due to rain, suffered a setback early on. Ross Taylor, who scored just 11 off 37 balls, was caught by Gill in the mid – off off Mohammed Shami. Henry Nichols returned with seven runs off 23 balls. This time Ishant Sharma took the wicket. Shami bowled BJ Watling, who came in sixth, in just three balls. The middle stump of a huge good length ball player was snatched away. Shami returned Colin de Grand Home, who came in later, to score 13 runs. But New Zealand captain Kane Williamson stood firm at the crease with a strong defense.
Williamson’s wicket fell short of giving New Zealand the lead. Ishant Sharma was just one run away from scoring a half-century before Virat Kohli got his hands on the slip. Then at the tail end Tim Southee tried to increase the lead but Ravindra Jadeja put Southee in the tent. New Zealand ended the innings with a 32-run lead.
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The games on the first and third days were completely lost due to rain and the game was stopped early on the second and fourth days due to lack of light. The game of the day thus lost will take place tomorrow, the day of the reserve.
Summary
India lose their opening wickets; play stops at day five of the WTC final, India 64/2