IND vs NZ, WTC 2021 HIGHLIGHTS: Stumps On Day 2, India 146/3, Kohli Looking Good
World Test Championship Final 2021, Ind vs NZ: The final match of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand will be played from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. Check this space for live updates.
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Background
Southampton: India takes on New Zealand in the first-ever World Test Championship, beginning June 18. A tournament that will further give context to Test cricket. Test series' that were being played in isolation, will have a larger motive, that of the World Test Championship final.
The final was shifted from Lord's cricket ground to Southampton's Ageas Bowl. India had 520 points as they finished first in the WTC league table. India's WTC campaign began with a win against West Indies in a home series. Followed by series wins against South Africa and Bangladesh. India lost an away series in New Zealand but came back strong in the series down-under against Australia and also won the series against England.
New Zealand's campaign began shakily as they drew their first series against Sri Lanka, followed by a 3-0 series loss against Australia. But NZ came back strong with three series wins. NZ finished second in the table.
Rain Scare!
The World Test Championship Final which was delayed since 2013 is finally happening in 2021 but under the threat of rainfall. It is pouring down heavily at Southampton. The first session on Day 1 has been washed out due to rain.
India has picked three pacers and two spinners. While the Top 5 remain as expected. The batting order - Rohit Sharma, Shubhman Gill, Virat Kohli, Pujara, Rahane and Rishabh Pant - was more or less predictable.
India Playing XI for WTC Final 2021: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah