World Test Championship Final: Day 5 Highlights

After the fifth day of the World Test Championship in Southampton, India are ahead of the Kiwis by 32 runs after bagging 64 runs in the second innings. Meanwhile, India lost both their openers in Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill to lbw, with both the wickets coming at the hands of Tim Southee.

With his four-for, Mohammed Shami led the attack from the front as India finished New Zealand’s first innings on 249 at tea. In the second session, Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja each took a wicket to put an end to the Kiwis’ resilience in the first innings.

Before falling on 49 in the second session, Kane Williamson ensured that New Zealand pushed above India’s first innings total of 217 by effectively taking the lead. Tim Southee and Trent Boult then extended New Zealand’s lead to 32 points before getting out.

New Zealand resumed on 135 for five wickets after lunch, but lost Colin de Grandhomme early when Shami struck with the new ball. Kyle Jamieson, on the other hand, gave some impetus and increased the scoring rate before succumbing to Shami on 21. (16 balls). At one end, Williamson held the fort, bowling 177 balls for 49 runs. Before the tail enders were wrapped up by the India spinners, he batted alongside Southee to get New Zealand past India’s total runs.

In the second innings, India lost openers Shubman Gill at 8 runs, and Rohit Sharma at 30 runs. However, Cheteshwar Pujara (now at 12) and Virat Kohli (currently at 8) ensured that no more damage was done as India finished their second innings at 64/2 on Day 5 of the WTC Final, securing a slim 32-run lead.

Jasprit Bumrah had again another bad day, failing to take a wicket in the first innings. Prior to the tea break, Rohit and Gill got off to a good start, putting on 24 runs in 10.3 overs, but the latter was undone by Tim Southee’s immaculate delivery.

Rohit misjudged an in-swinger from Southee near the conclusion of the day, giving him his second wicket of the session. With only one day remaining in the Test (plus a reserve day), a draw appears to be the most likely outcome unless one of the two teams has a stunning collapse on the final day.