Resuming their innings on 101/2, New Zealand got bowled out for 249 in their first innings on Day 5, taking a slender lead of 32 runs against India in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Indian fast bowlers were on the money right from the start, especially Mohammad Shami, who returned with the figures of 4/76 in his 26 overs.
Shami removed Ross Taylor (11) early in the day thanks to a great catch by young Shubman Gill and then followed it with the wickets of BJ Watling (1), Colin de Grandhomme (13) and Kyle Jamieson (21).
Analysing Taylor’s dismissal during the lunch break, former India batsman VVS Laxman credited Virat Kohli’s captaincy for it.
WATCH – Virat Kohli tries to warm his body amid chilly Southampton weather on Day 5
“A lot of credit for Ross Taylor wicket should be given to Virat Kohli. Ross Taylor has the tendency to play in the air when he play the drives and Shubman Gill was stationed there, just parallel to the crease, silly mid-off position and that’s the reason why he caught that blinder. Fantastic captaincy, fantastic display of fast bowling,” Laxman was quoted as saying by Star Sports.
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain also showered rich praise on Kohli’s captaincy, saying that the latter was spot-on with his bowling changes.
“I thought Virat Kohli had a day as well, good morning. Every bowling change he made (was a good one). To the left-hander Nicholls, we know Ishant bowls well, bowl straight on. He kept Shami on even though he bowled six or seven overs in that session. So, pretty much spot on from India throughout the session. Catching, captaincy, and bowling,” Hussain said.
“Sometimes, Virat Kohli does certain things, I call him the tinker man. But today morning, he did things with a lot of purpose. The changes he made were absolutely spot-on. Ishant to the left-handers. And like VVS Laxman said, there was no left-hander for Ashwin. 10 minutes to go to Lunch. BJ Watling in the middle, and he kept Shami on. And immediately Shami gets the wicket.
“He made right changes at the right time,” Hussain added.
“Now, India are the favourites even though New Zealand were the favourites half an hour ago, and that is how quickly things change in England. And that is why Virat Kohli’s captaincy was spot-on,” he further remarked.
In their second innings, India scored 64/2 at the close of play, securing a meagre lead of 32 runs with the reserve sixth day’s play in store. Kohli (8*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12*) were unbeaten in the middle.
India and New Zealand will be crowned join winners in case of a draw or tie.
