India were left to do an incredible amount of work if they have to avoid being outgunned in the ICC World Test Championship final 2021 being played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, as New Zealand gained control of the summit clash of the inaugural event which kicked off two years ago in 2019.
India were shot out for a paltry total in their first innings, with the Virat Kohli-led team facing a batting collapse to slip from 146 for 3 at the start of the third day’s play to a mere 217 in 92.1 overs. While the Indians showed great application and resolve with the bat on the shortened opening day, the second day of this Test, they were simply pathetic with the bat on the third day i.e. Sunday.
New Zealand’s star all-rounder Kyle Jamieson returned with a superb five-wicket haul as he ran through the Indian line-up, taking the key wickets of Kohli (44), Rishabh Pant (4), Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah along with the priced scalp of Rohit Sharma on the second day.
Ajinkya Rahane batted well and looked set for a strong innings but he was once again a victim of short-ball attack from New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner, who ended the India vice-captain’s innings at 49.
For India to pull things back in control, it was important for their fast bowlers to produce a strong display. Instead, the famed Indian bowling attack failed to find any support in form of swing or seam movement off the pitch at Southampton, which remained a constant weapon for the New Zealand bowlers.
The Indian fast bowlers were dealt with tremendous ease by the New Zealand opening pair of Tom Latham and Devon Conway, who added 70 runs for the first wicket and kept the Indians at bay for the longest time possible. However, their partnership was broken by an unwanted shot from Latham, who was caught at cover by Kohli. Latham made 30 from 104 balls, hitting three fours in the process.
While Conway managed to carry on and notch up his second half-century in what is turning out to be a great start to his career for the Kiwi opener, he too was dismissed off a poor shot which left New Zealand at 101/2. Kane Williamson (12*) and Ross Taylor (0*) were at the crease when bad light forced an early end to the contest, with the New Zealand side another 116 runs behind in the first innings.
For India, it will be extremely important to not allow New Zealand a big lead when the play resumes on Monday, which looks set to be a washed-out day already as per the weather forecasts.
