New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets to be crowned the first-ever world Test champions in Southampton on Wednesday night, their first ever ICC title.
The bowlers, inspired by a daunting Mohammed Shami and crafty Ravichandran Ashwin, did put New Zealand under pressure, but the batting frailties, as admitted by skipper Virat Kohli, cost India the WTC title.
Ahead of the final, Kohli had downplayed the significance of a one-off contest saying that one Test cannot decide which is the "best" side in the format. Even head coach Ravi Shastri had called for a three-Test series ahead of the final.
After his side lost the WTC Final, the Indian captain didn't name anyone but expressed his displeasure at some of the players not showing enough intent to score runs which put pressure on the batting outfit.
The right-handed batsman had earlier said he would have retired had New Zealand lifted the 50-over World Cup in 2019. They lost to England in the final.
A lot of that commitment was on display against the world number one Indian team with the Kiwis bowlers out-witting star-studded lineup before Williamson and Ross Taylor combined to take the team home in a chase of 139.
India fielded both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja along with pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
While Ashwin ended as the highest wicket-taker, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne was the leading run-scorer in the WTC.
Tim Southee was also overwhelmed by the achievement and credited consistency for his side's success. He also spoke about the atmosphere in the dressing room while New Zealand were inching closer towards the target.
Williamson was asked if the WTC victory was New Zealand's greatest achievement in its cricketing history, to which the Kiwi captain insisted that the moment was indeed "special."
The right-handed batsman had earlier said he would have retired had New Zealand lifted the 50-over World Cup in 2019. They lost to England in the final.
Kohli also praised Kyle Jamieson for winning the Man of the Match trophy in the marquee clash.
The New Zealand dressing room erupted in delight as Ross Taylor hit the winning runs in the WTC Final.
It is first major ICC trophy for the Black Caps, who had ended runners-up at the 2019 ODI World Cup after losing the final to hosts England on boundary count.
Twitter hailed New Zealand after the side registered an exemplary 8-wicket victory over India to win the World Test Championship.
New Zealand put out a dominant display to beat India by 8 wickets in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship.
Wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals as India ultimately managed to post 170 on the scoreboard, leaving New Zealand with a modest 139-run target to chase.
Ashwin took his 71st wicket during the final of the WTC against New Zealand in Southampton.
When all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja fell as the sixth wicket on Wednesday, which is the sixth, reserve day, India had 142 on the scoreboard. They could reach only 170 as the tail end batsmen once again failed to show technique and spine.
While Kohli (13) and Pujara (15) were dismissed by towering Kyle Jamieson, Rahane (15) was shown the exit door by Trent Boult on the final day of the WTC final.
Top News
Latest News
