New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets to lift first-ever World Test Championship trophy

India skipper Virat Kohli walks back after being dismissed for 13 at Southampton yesterday. Pic/Bipin Patel

New Zealand beat India by eight wickets to win the World Test Championship final on the sixth and final day here on Wednesday. Chasing 139, skipper Kane Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 not out) shared a 96-run stand for the third wicket to ensure the Kiwis got over the line without any hiccups.

Off-spinner R Ashwin (2-17) claimed the wickets of openers Tom Latham (9) and Devon Conway (19). Earlier, India had another batting disaster with only
170 runs in their second innings.

It was one of the worst batting performances on a good track with sun beating down and the Indian batsmen never found the going get easier. Williamson is probably one of the few captains who have now got the Indian team out for less than 250 in six consecutive innings, a testimony to his brilliant cricketing acumen and near-perfect execution by his bowlers.

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson (right) and Ross Taylor during their 96-run stand yesterday. Pic/Getty Images

Tim Southee (4-48) did the early damage with his swing bowling, Neil Wagner (1-44) bowled those hard "rib cage" overs coming round the stumps and Trent Boult (3-44) with his ability to bring it back into the left-hander made it for a brilliant few hours of Test cricket.

And then, India's nemesis Kyle Jamieson (2-30), who again got his "bunny" Virat Kohli, third time in three Tests and twice in one to make it an icing on the cake.
Rishabh Pant fought for two and half hours for his 41 but it was more intent and less content as a cavalier devil may care approach didn't get him too many runs.

The catch that Henry Nicholls took while running backwards was as good as one would witness at this level. Rishabh Pant's dismissal did hamper India's chances but before that an inspirational piece of captaincy from Williamson left an indelible mark.

Brief scores
India 217 & 170 (R Pant 41, Rohit 30; T Southee 4-48, T Boult 3-39, K Jamieson 2-30) lost to NZ 249 & 140-2 (K Williamson 52', R Taylor 47'; R Ashwin 2-17) by eight wickets

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