The final Test match of the ICC World Test Championship series between New Zealand and India is currently underway in Christchurch. The Indian team has never played at the Hagley Oval before hence, New Zealand entered the match as the favorites to win. The home team had even won the last match by 10 wickets thus, even the momentum was in their favor.
India got off to a positive start in this game as half-centuries from Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari helped them post a score of 242 runs in the first innings. India had not crossed the 200 runs milestone in the first Test hence, it was a better performance from the visiting batsmen. Even Mohammed Shami played a handy cameo in the end. Making his debut in this Test series, Kyle Jamieson picked up a five-wicket haul to destroy the Indian batting lineup.
Trailing by 242 runs, New Zealand got off to a fantastic start thanks to the solid opening partnership between Tom Latham and Tom Blundell. Both the players toiled the Indian bowlers with their batting skills on day 1. However, India came back all guns blazing on day 2 as they bowled New Zealand out for just 235 runs. They got a lead of 7 runs thanks to the brilliant bowling performances from Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.
It seemed like India would set a grand target for New Zealand now, however, they lost six wickets for just 90 runs in the second innings. The four New Zealand fast bowlers combined forces to break the back of the Indian batting lineup. Trent Boult picked up 3 wickets while Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner and Tim Southee scalped a wicket each. Colin picked the main wicket of Virat Kohli. Currently, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari are batting in the middle as India’s overall score is 97/6.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to India’s collapse.
What are we without Virat Kohli in Test cricket…esp outside the subcontinent…not even a single batsman to take charge and play big…is it not exactly like early 90’s…Only Sachin…@sachin_rt @VVSLaxman281 @RaviShastriOfc
— Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) March 1, 2020
Debacle on the cards… https://t.co/4FFzDS9ywo
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 1, 2020
Never thought I would ever get to see Mohammed Shami scoring more runs in a Test series than Virat Kohli!#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) March 1, 2020
#ViratKohli tried too hard throughout this tour to prove how good a player he is. Credit to New Zealand, they executed their plans and played with Virat’s ego.#INDvsNZTestCricket #NZvIND
— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) March 1, 2020
Day-2
New Zealand’s last 3 wickets – 82 runs
India’s first 6 wickets – 90 runs#INDvsNZ #NZvIND— Manoj Dimri (@manoj_dimri) March 1, 2020
Virat Kohli just had a long chat with Umesh Yadav in the dressing-room before sending him in. Hanuma Vihari had been padded up for a long time and in fact got up at the Rahane dismissal and checked if it was indeed Umesh who was going in #NZvIND @cricbuzz
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) March 1, 2020
A few forgettable shots but do remember they are the outcome of high quality bowling that messes with a batsman’s mind.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 1, 2020
It’s been a disappointing Test Series as an Indian Cricket Fan. Again, the batsmen fail to deliver in NZ and except Pujara none seen to have any interest for fighting it out. The bowlers brought us back into the game but the batters failed us again. #NZvIND #NZvsIND
— Kartik O
(@KOCricket528) March 1, 2020
(@KOCricket528) 