So over to the final day of final of World Test Championship
with all three possibilities still intact. Draw or Winner either from New Zealand
or India? With minimum 98 overs of play on the cards - weather permitting.
India 32 ahead with both openers Shubhman 8 and Rohit 30 back
in the pavilion. It`s up to Virat, Ajinkya with Pujara holding one end intact
to try and go for some fast runs. It`s still possible to score fast and tempt
New Zealand to go for that target in the fourth innings. And if New Zealand
allow maverick Rishabh Pant to get away with the match, say around one and half
hour @ for 20 odd overs. India can be still be in the driver’s seat. With
disciplined kiwi swing attack this is very difficult. On the other hand New Zeeland
can hope to trigger Indian batting collapse and go for some manageable easy
victory target.
Earlier on fifth day after 1 hour loss due to bad light, Both
Taylor and Williamson denied any success to India in first hour, playing with
caution and scoring just 16 runs. It was Shami who gave India the first
breakthrough through Shubman`s superb catch flinging towards right at mid off.
Taylor 11-117/3. Ishant quickly removed left hander Nicholls, through Rohit`s brilliant
catch at second slip. Shami again striked once more before lunch clean bowling
B J Watling. NZ 117/3 at lunch. Post lunch Shami removed dangerous hard hitting
Grandhome and attacking Jamieson. It was Shami’s magnificent bowling who denied
New Zealand to run away with the match. Virat allowed him to bowl a lot hoping
him to get five wicket haul. That delayed opportunity to Ashwin and Jadeja. Meanwhile
Kane Williamson @ 5 hour knock was ended by Ishant at 49 - just like Rahane -
Virat has precisely positioned himself at wide second slip. Indian catching and
even ground fielding was excellent, keeping kiwis under constant pressure. Ashwin
sent left hander Wagner back immediately. Tim Southee hiked 2 sixes. But Jadeja
bowled him immediately after the second one. New Zealand - 249. Lead by 32. Boomrah
was wicket less, a rarity.
So over to fascinating, enthralling hopefully nail-biting
final day`s play.
-Vivek
Ketkar
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