Team India was completely outplayed by New Zealand in the final of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton as the latter claimed the title with a comfortable 8-wicket win.

While the Indian team was let down by its batting on Day 6, their fielding wasn’t up to the mark as well as a couple of catches were dropped in the outfield.

First one was Pujara dropping Taylor at first slip off Bumrah and the other one was Bumrah failing to get under the ball off the bowling of Shami that saved skipper Williamson.

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg pointed out while chasing a target of just 139 runs, Pujara dropping Taylor was a crucial moment in the final.

“A wonderful performance from New Zealand. India had their chances at the back end of the Test match to stay in it and win it. (Cheteshwar) Pujara dropping (Ross) Taylor with 55 runs still needed at that stage proved extremely costly. It was the final day of a final,” Hogg said in his latest YouTube video.

Team India's WTC 2021-23 cycle begins against England, ends with away Bangladesh series

“There was pressure. You had (Henry) Nicholls, Watling was injured. Anything could have happened with the pressure around there. Taylor gone, (Kane) Williamson might have played a rash shot as well, not having that experience up at the other end,” he further added.

But, unfortunately Virat Kohli and Co. could not capitalize on those opportunities and ended up suffering an 8-wicket loss.

New Zealand, on the other hand, showed great discipline with the ball and in the end skipper Kane Williamson and veteran Ross Taylor took their team home with their unbeaten knocks of 52 and 47 respectively.

As far as the Indian team is concerned, they will be taking on England in a five-match Test series scheduled to begin from August 4.