New Zealand won the WTC 2021 Final against India by 8 wickets at Southampton.
Kyle Jamieson picking up the important wickets of Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara inside the first hour on Day 6, turned the game completely in New Zealand’s favor.
Even then, the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson believed that India had a ‘fair shot’ too at winning the WTC final as all three results were possible even after two quick wickets earlier in the day.
“For us it was very much going in the day, expecting every result was realistic and trying to do as well as we could. Nothing different from the last few days and see how games unfurl and opportunity arises,” Williamson told India Today.
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“It was great to take early wickets on that, that set up more chances of result on that day. India team counter-attacked after that, India had a fair shot too. The surface was offering to bowlers. It was intense for us,” he added.
After Kohli’s dismissal, the Indian innings folded for 170 runs in the second innings to go with 217 runs in the first innings, leaving New Zealand a target of just 139 runs.
Even though the Kiwis lost openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham early, skipper Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor steadied the ship and eventually went on to take their team home with their unbeaten knocks of 52 and 47 respectively.
The WTC became the second ICC trophy for the Blackcaps after the 2000 Champions Trophy.
(With India Today Inputs)