WTC Final: Hope For A Draw
- 23-Jun-2021
- 0 Comments
Kohli, Pujara Guide India To 32-Run Lead
New Zealand nosed ahead by removing both the openers as World Test Championship final headed towards an engrossing ‘sixth’ and final day.
Shami brought India back with four-wicket haul that helped the side dismiss New Zealand for 249, Rohit Sharma (30) after all the hardwork, made an error in judgement trying to leave a Tim Southee (2/17) in-dipper which trapped him plumb in-front.
With Shubman Gill (8) also back in the hut, India finished the fifth day at 64 for 2 with a lead of 32 runs, having erased a 32-run deficit.
With a full day’s play expected, India would like to bat at least a session and half to put themselves in safe position before giving New Zealand 50 odd overs and 200 plus target if they want to enforce a result.
A draw looks more of a practical possibility due to all the time that has been lost due to inclement weather but a superb batting effort from skipper Virat Kohli (8 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 batting) or an inexplicable batting collapse like Adelaide could certainly make things interesting.
