The heartbreak continues! India fails to win the ultimate match AGAIN!

Southhampton, June 24: Another day, another ICC event final, another heartbreak for India! A contest between the world’s two top Test teams – both on the WTC standings and the ICC rankings – was witnessed on the final day with several nail-biting moments. However, this was overcome by New Zealand who became ICC World Test Champions after beating India inside the final hour of a nail-biting reserve day at the Hampshire Bowl, wrapping up an eight-wicket win with a boundary from Ross Taylor.

 

 

A similar India batting collapse in the second innings against the Kiwis was the one of the reasons that India could not cross the line. A target of 139 was not enough for Indian bowlers to dismantle the top New Zealand batsmen. Though wickets fell down and things started to turn in favour of Team India, skipper Kane Willamson and Ross Taylor made it clear that no spin or pace should come in their way set up a famous win with an unbeaten stand of 96 for the third wicket.

 

 

Earlier in the day, the top and the middle order of Team India struggled severely to score runs in the second innings after rain and bad lights played spoilsport during first innings. Besides, Tim Southee scalped four wickets as India was bundled out for 170.

 

Rishabh Pant top-scored for India as he played a knock of 41 runs, but he hardly found any company as none of the top-order batsmen managed to spend time in the middle. It was ultimately left on the likes of Ravindra Jadeja (16 off 49 balls) to give him company as India lost the wickets of Virat Kohli (13), Cheteshwar Pujara (15), and Ajinkya Rahane (15) in the first session itself.

 

 

The credit goes to the Kiwi bowlers who showcased the brilliant performance againt India. Special mention to Kylie Jamieson who dismissed Kohli twice and reduced the chances of India's win and a draw.

 

"First up, a big congratulations to Kane and his team. They have shown great consistency and heart, and pull off a result in three days. They put us under pressure throughout the Test and did extremely well to win. It was difficult to get momentum on Day 2, and we did really well with the ball in the first innings. This morning was the difference where their bowlers executed their plans to perfection and did not give us scoring opportunities," Kohli told host broadcaster Star Sports at the post-match presentation.

 

 

"We were 30-40 short of giving them a good target. I do not regret announcing my XI beforehand, because you need an all-rounder in the side but we made a unanimous decision that these are the best XI we can take into the park. Jamieson is coming up nicely in international cricket - good areas with the ball, and he can bat quite well too. He's had a great game and he deserves the man of the match award," he added.