New Zealand dished out a superb performance with ball and bat on the final day to defeat India by eight wickets and win the inaugural World Test Championship, in Southampton, on Wednesday.
The resounding victory gave the Black Caps, who ended up on the losing side in the 2019 ODI World Cup after losing the final to hosts England on boundary count, their first major ICC trophy.
Gold Rate
05 May 2025
They also lost the 2015 World Cup final to Australia.
The seasoned pair of skipper Kane Williamson (52) and Ross Taylor (47) put on an unbeaten 96-run partnership to easily overhaul India’s 139-run target.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed openers Tom Latham (9) and Devon Conway (19) in New Zealand’s second innings early, but the Indians did not have any success thereafter, having dropped dropped two catches.
India resumed on Day 6, the reserve day, of the final on 64 for 2, but none of their batsmen made any substantial contribution, save Rishabh Pant, as they were dismissed for 170 in their second innings.
In reply, Williamson, who had a brilliant match as captain, played sublime drives in a short chase and Taylor drew on all his experience to steer the Kiwis home with much to spare despite two days of cricket being lost to rain.
New Zealand’s Kyle Jamieson, who had figures of 5 for 31 and 2 for 3 in the match, was named ‘Man of the ICC World Test Championship final’.
