New Zealand finally became the World Test Champions by defeating India in the historic first-ever World Test Championship Final at Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Kane Williamson and Co. Defeated India by eight wickets to lift the trophy. Kiwi Skipper led the team from the front scoring 49 runs in the first innings and a match-winning half-century in the second innings.
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh pointed out that Blackcaps played far better than India, they won the important toss and were ahead of the team from starting of the match and they deserved to be champions.
“New Zealand played far better than team India and they deserve to be champions. They bowled beautifully, it was a crucial toss to win and they won it. From there onwards, they were in the driver’s seat. They got India out for 217 and then very cheaply in the second innings,” Harbhajan told India Today.
High praise for @BLACKCAPS from one of their greatest of all time, following their #WTC21 triumph 🏆 pic.twitter.com/K3CgIYCj6o
— ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2021
Harbhajan stated that overall New Zealand was a better-prepared side for the finals as they visited England one month earlier and played two important Tests against England. Which eventually led them to understand conditions perfectly. Meanwhile, India only played intrasquad matches which can not be considered as intense while comparing it against playing versus the countryside.
“It benefitted them, being there in England, playing those two Test matches. They understood those conditions better than the Indians. They were deserving candidates,” said the 40-year-old veteran spinner.
“When you play among each other, it’s never that kind of intense game. But when you play against a County side, you will play at your best and you know what needs to be done to win those games. India could have definitely gone a little earlier.”
Two wickets in the over for Boult ⚡️
Ravichandran Ashwin is the next one to depart!#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/DMSHJUU3xA pic.twitter.com/QNUKHZNGJb
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
We lost too many wickets in the first session: Harbhajan Singh
The 40-year-old veteran spinner pinpointed that India failed miserably in the first session and lost too many wickets on the reserve day as captain Virat Kohli, vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and dependable Cheteshwar Pujara all got out on the very first session.
He also appreciated New Zealand’s bowling line-up and expressed his disappointment towards India’s performance.
“Pressure is there in all games. Bigger games bring more pressure of course. I was saying earlier that people may be saying it’s a great day to bat but still, you have to go out there and do it. If India had lost just one wicket in that first session we would have headed for a draw. But we lost too many wickets in the first session itself and the pressure came to the boys,” said Harbhajan.
“Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane’s wickets were crucial and once they got out it was just a matter of time considering how New Zealand was bowling. Great day for New Zealand cricket but disappointing for team India,” he added.
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