Inspired bowling by Mohammed Shami helped India restrict New Zealand’s first innings total to 249 on Day 5 of the World Test Championship final on Tuesday but Tim Southee sent by India’s openers before Stumps to ensure the Kiwis go into the final day of the match with an upper hand.
India went to Stumps at 64/2, with a lead of 32 runs and it was Virat Kohli (8 off 12) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 off 55) at the crease after Shubman got out on a 33-ball 8 and Rohit scored 30 off the 81 deliveries he faced.
New Zealand, who began the day strongly placed at 101/2, were reduced to 135 for five in 72 overs at Lunch as Shami removed Ross Taylor (11) and BJ Watling (1) before Ishant Sharma got rid of Henry Nicholls (7).
Colin de Grandhomme (13) fell in the second session but the last four wickets added 87 runs to take the team to the eventual score. Skipper Kane Williamson worked hard for his 49 (177 balls) before edging to slips off Ishant to become the eighth wicket of the innings.
Kiwis Bowled Out For 249
After rain forced Day 4 of the match to be completely abandoned, Kane and Ross Taylor continued their innings on Wednesday but Taylor lasted all of 37 deliveries before becoming the first wicket of the day. Shami got the breakthrough for India when Taylor failed to check a drive -- perhaps surprised by the bounce -- which went uppishly to mid-off, where Shubman Gill took a superb low catch diving forward.
Henry Nicholls edged an inswinger from Ishant Sharma, which to the left-handed batsman was an outswinger. And Mohammed Shami picked up his second wicket of the morning with the ball of the innings, which spreadeagled B.J. Watling's middle and off stumps.
Shami's fiery spell was further rewarded when he trapped Colin de Grandhomme leg before wicket with an incoming ball and then induced a hook from Kyle Jamieson to apply curtains to an attacking cameo. Both New Zealanders lacked the technique to defend on a pitch with a tendency to produce wicket-taking balls.
Williamson was more purposeful after lunch. But he was saved by an "umpire's call" when an appeal for lbw by the persevering Shami, referred to the TV umpire, was adjudged as hitting the outer side of off-stump and not more centrally.
Having been thus reprieved, the New Zealand captain rather uncharacteristically played away from his body off the back foot to virtually present a practice catch to his opposite number Virat Kohli at second slip; Ishant being the beneficiary.
By now, though, New Zealand had taken a slender 1st innings lead, which with a few lusty blows from Tim Southee was stretched to 32. An unworrying deficit, given the fact that India had to cope with the more challenging task of batting first on a fresh wicket and mostly under cloudy conditions. The opposition in contrast enjoyed a bit of sunshine for the greater part of their venture.
Clear Skies Expected on Day 6
If the sun, which finally appeared in a reasonable manner on the 5th day on Tuesday, continues to pierce the clouds on 6th and final day, batting conditions should become easier. But that means even if this facilitates India to set a sporting target, it is difficult to visualise them bundling out New Zealand on effectively the same wicket.
The surface is unlikely to dramatically convert itself into a turner, no longer conspiring with the quicker bowlers. India undoubtedly possess the firepower in their batting to cut loose. At the same time, it would be foolish to be reckless in such an apex encounter.
An Indian collapse in the 2nd innings would, of course, open the door for New Zealand. Indeed, an assignment below 200 should be within the Kiwis' grasp. India will, though, probably lower the shutters, if they lose vital wickets.
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