India got off to the worst possible start on Day six (reserve day) of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday (June 23). Hopes of the Indian fans rested on the shoulders of captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara as they resumed India’s innings their overnight score of 64/2 on day six.
However, what unfolded in Southampton left the Indian fans disheartened as they expressed their frustration on social media after both Kohli and Pujara were sent back cheaply by New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson. Kohli was the first to depart on the reserve day as Jamieson dismissed him on 13 runs off 29 balls.
Two over laters the tall youngster sent Pujara packing after he scored 15 runs off 80 deliveries. Losing two wickets in quick succession derailed India’s innings as the team was left tottering in their crucial second innings of the summit clash. Twitter went into a meltdown post the twin dismissals.
Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane too couldn’t hold on for long as he was removed by Trent Boult after scoring 15 runs off 40 deliveries. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja then joined hands to steady the ship for India and take the team’s total to130/5 at Lunch. India’s hopes are now pinned on the duo of Pant and Jadeja, who will have to battle hard against the New Zealand pace attack and give India a healthy lead to save the Test match.
India were leading by 98 runs at Lunch on Day six and will need at least 100 more runs to stand a chance of saving the final. After Jadeja and Pant, R Ashwin is the only remaining batsman in the line-up with the other three being pure bowlers. A lead close to 200 runs will be what India will be hoping for before they can invite New Zealand to bat again in the final.
