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The fifth day of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand ended with the Virat Kohli-led side dominating major parts of the day. After bundling out Black Caps for 249, India started pretty steadily, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill making runs at an economy rate of around 2.00.
However, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee had some other plans as he displayed some of the most remarkable bowling. The veteran speedster trapped youngster Gill in front during the 11th over of India’s second innings and drew the first blood. Gill made just 8 runs off 33 balls.
On the other hand, Rohit 🏅lo🦩oked solid and was trying his best to tackle the top quality spells. But an error in judgement cost his wicket during the 27th over, just a few minutes before the stumps on the fifth day.
Southee set him up nicely with few outswingers, followed by a sharp incoming delivery. Rohit raised his shoulders and offered no shot, anticipating that the ball would move away. However, the red-leather nipped back in and hit Rohit’s pads, and the umpire wasted no time to give him out.
Before the officials announced the stumpsꦛ, India had put up 64/2 on the scoreboard, leading New Zealand by 32 runs.
Earlier,൲ New Zealand began the day with their overnight score of 101/2. However, they were reduced to 135/5 at lunch as Indian bowlers bowled some lethal spells to dominate the first session of the day.
Speedster Mohammad Shami led the pace attack by providing the initial breakthrough in the form of Ross Taylor (11). Soon Ishant Sharma joined the rally and sent back Henry Nicholls (7). Then, Shami continued his aggressive spell and cleaned up New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling (1) to keep India at the top at lunch.
Colin de Grandomme (13) showed his intentions from the word go, but a ripping in-swinger from Shami packed his innings. However, the Kiwi tail added quite a few vital runs to frustrate the Indians. The last f𒁏our wickets added as many as 87 runs to help New Zealand a vital 32-run lead before bundling out for 249 runs.
Skipper Williamson stood tall against a top-quality Indian bowling attack i☂n challenging conditions. He eventually fell one run short of his half-century as Ishant sent him back to the pavilion.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Relatable much? 😅
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Having seen how this Indian team goes about their Test cricket, you just know they’ll at least have one bold maജneouvre up their sleeve for tomorrow, maybe Rishabh Pant walks out at No 5. Or maybe it’s just me still reeling from the hangover of that Australian tour
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07)
//twitter.com/benjonescricket/stat♑us/14073964522430꧃62785
🇮🇳 ♛end the day 💖on 6️⃣4️⃣/2️⃣ with a lead of 3️⃣2️⃣.
If today’s action was anything to go by🍨, then we’re in for a cracker of a day tomorrow. 🤩
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
Stumps. And full day of cricket on the cards tomorrow. Bring it on. Full r༺espect to King Kohli not sending a night watchman out. That’s another level of class. 4:04am here, I can hear the birds chirping outside already: so good night from me family 😂♥️
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Only six Tests𒊎 in th🀅e ball tracking era (2006) have seen a lower Expected Balls Per Wicket (i.e. more threatening bowling) than this. None of the six have seen a higher Actual BpW (batsman surviving the bowling) than this one. This is stupidly high quality cricket.
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket)
A day that completely belonged to the bowlers. 🇮🇳 are just 32 ahead with 8 wickets in hand. Will they bat quickly♍ and push f📖or a win or will we see a 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧? 👊
Reserve day, what do you have in store? 🤔
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL)
Jasprit Bumrah's bowling stats
In Tests
Against New Zealand: 6 wickets at 41.16
Against teams not called N♏ew Zeaཧland: 77 wickets at 21.36In ODIs
Against New Zealand: 13 wickets at 36.84
Against teams not called New Zeal🃏and: 95 wickets at 23.75— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl)
Draw most likely. NZ has a slim chance India little lesser. NZ bat 4th ꦬthough under pressure in a final. Has been a top day of cricket. India bowled excellently to come back and then Rohit was good again before that dismissal which he will be upset with. Ah no shot offered!
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar)
Stumps in Southampton 🏏
India finish the day on 64/2, with a lead of 32🦹! Tim So🍨uthee claimed the wickets of the openers. Final | |
— ICC (@ICC)
Stumps, Day 5️⃣: 🇮🇳 – 64/2
♊We are headed into the reserve day after a day largely dominated by the bowlers.
Kohli & Pujara will continue batting tomorro🐬w with India leading by 32 runs.
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
That's Stumps on Day 5⃣ of the Final in Southampton! move to 6⃣4⃣/2⃣ & lead New Zealand by 32 runs. (12*) & captain (8*) will start the proceedings tomorrow.
Scorecard 👉
— BCCI (@BCCI)
This Test deserves a Day 7 of clear weather. So tantalizingly poised. Everything worthy of a big final, except not having enough time left to finish this the right way. Players quarantined for weeks to play this. Another reserve day or two wouldn't have done us any harm.
— cricBC (@cricBC)
With a day’s 🎀play to go, 🇮🇳 takes 32 runs lead in the second innings.
Virat – Pujara at the crease, tomorrow promises to be an exciting day. 👊
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan)
Virat Kohli has now the most runs in Semi-Final and Final i♚n IဣCC tournaments, overtakes Kumar Sangakkara (531 runs).
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
STUMPS on Day 5. India 64/2 at the close of play and 32 runs ahead. Tim Southee with the two wickets to fall. Back tomorrow for the SIXTH and final day of the Test. Follow play LIVE in NZ with with highlights on @sparknzsport. Card 𝔉|
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS)
STUMPS, DAY 5️⃣
Rohit looked solid before an untimely ♔dismissal courte🔜sy of Southee.
Fans of both teams will wait with bated breath for the reserve day. wil🃏l have stalwarts Kohli and Pujara at the crease 🤜🏻🤛🏻
🇮🇳 – 64/2 (30), lead by 32 runs
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
