After 2 years of rigorous hard work, the Indians and the Kiwis were all set to lock horns at Southampton. A match that would decide the Champion at the end of a long 2 year wait. The stage was set but little did they know that rain would play a spoil sport in a battle between Fire and Ice. The most calm and loved individual was up against the most aggressive and arguably the best batsman in World Cricket. This was a spectacle to behold. Fans from both the nations were eagerly waiting for this battle. Indians had to end their ICC trophy drought since 2013. On the other hand, the only ICC trophy that Kiwis had won before this was against the Indians in Nairobi back in 2000. A lot was at stake before the game began. Kohli desperately wanted to avenge the loss that they faced against the same opposition couple of years back in the semi finals of the World Cup. New Zealand came into the game on the back of some really good performances. The Indians had their own fairy-tale story as they beat Australia on their own soil with half the Indian side injured and the miraculous turnaround post the first test in the absence of their captain was an inspirational story for many of them. They breezed passed England with ease too.
The first edition of the World Test Championship got underway with something which isn’t new with Kohli losing the toss and the match getting delayed due to rain in England. The first day was completely washed out because of the downpour. Kohli lost the toss on the 2nd morning and the Indians were put in to bat by Kane Williamson. Indians were in for a fast bowling treat as New Zealand didn’t play a single spinner whereas Indians played a two of them. The game got underway with Rohit and Gill playing New Zealand pacers with ease as Boult and Jamieson gave nothing away but Jamieson was making the ball talk and eventually got Rohit. Indians fared pretty well on day 2 and ended with 146-3 in 64 odd overs. The next day saw Indians collapsing with utmost ease without giving up a fight. They ended up with a paltry 217 considering the overnight score. Only Rahane and Kohli managed to score in 40s and none of the batsmen could handle New Zealand’s pace quartet.
The score of 217 was never quite enough for New Zealand who ended the day at 101-2. The next day was again washed out completely without a single ball being bowled. We knew the out come after the 4th day. Despite an additional day, the writing seemed to be on the wall. The test match was heading for a dull draw but as we know Cricket is a game of uncertainties. The next 2 days made up for the first 4 dull days. Indians almost had Kiwis under the mat but then Jamieson and Southee’s counter attacked propelled New Zealand to take the first innings lead. Indians came late in to bat on Day 5. It still seemed a draw but New Zealand picked couple of early wickets which made people think that a result still might be possible. Some fans started thinking Indians can go for the kill with Rishabh repeating his Gabba feat and an early declaration which would give enough overs to Bumrah and co. to clean up New Zealand while the others thought if New Zealand can get quick wickets they can be in with a chance.
The final day was a replica of how Indians have performed in ICC tournaments for the past 7 years or so. Everyone crumbled under the weights of expectations. It was like the childhood of Gen Y Indians who had seen India crumbling under pressure often in the past. The only difference was that the clothes and the format were different but the end result was the same.
It was so fitting to see Ross Taylor hit the winning runs. Two of New Zealand’s best servants took the team through. Kane Williamson, what do you say about this guy ? Simon Doull perfectly summed it up when Ross Taylor hit those winning runs. Sometimes nice guys do win. New Zealand came so close to lift the ICC World Cup in 2019 but were plain unlucky not to win it. Kane Williamson with his smile after the winning runs were scored put a billion people in sorrow but still none of them hate him. He is loved by everyone.
Let us look at the aspects that helped New Zealand clinch the title-
- Toss: Toss played a crucial role especially after the rain that played spoilsport and washed out the first day. Kohli had to win the toss. Kane Williamson didn’t put a foot wrong after winning the toss and New Zealand always had the upper hand in the game except for a couple of sessions.
- Squad selection: It is baffling to know how both the captains read the pitch. New Zealand went in with an all out pace attack whereas Indians went in with 2 spinners. We are not sure if they played them to increase the batting depth but the ploy failed. New Zealand seamers made merry on a green top and paved the way for their 2nd ICC title.
- Mentality: Too much of blockathon won’t help you survive always. Pujara did that in Australia where Pant decimated the opposition with his clean hitting but here the same approach didn’t work and will never work in a Test where there are demons in the pitch. No matter how good you are, there will always be that 1 ball which will get your wicket. Pujara with his slow approach got New Zealanders back in the game and helped them apply pressure. If you see New Zealand’s first innings, even when they were 6 -7 down Jamieson wasn't bogging down and went for his shots.
- Tail wagging: How often have we seen tail wagging against India. If you look at the tail enders and their contribution with the bat in both the innings you will get to know where the Indians lost this game. Southee and Jamieson scored some quick runs and went after the best Indian bowlers whereas Indian tail didn’t even manage to put a stern resistance, forget scoring runs. In the hindsight, one will know how important those 30 odd runs from Southee were as those runs proved out to be the difference between India's victory and defeat.
- ICE vs FIRE: It was always termed as a battle between the two captains. Williamson and Kohli. Two of the Fab Four were on display. It was a matter of time that we would have known that who knows how to handle pressure and end up being crowned as the Champions of the World in the superiormost format. Williamson edged past Kohli in that department. His batting in both the innings was just sheer display of pure class. Kohli batted well in the first inning but succumbed to an away going delivery in the 2nd inning. Some of the field placements were spot on by Kane especially Rahane’s wicket in the first innings and Shami’s wicket in the 2nd innings. Kane was very proactive in his approach while Kohli was pretty much reactive which didn't help India's cause either.
