[NPV]

NZ 221/8 after Williamson goes, now we need to get the last 2 wickets for under 15 runs. A lead of 30+ will put lot of pressure on our batting in the second innings. So far this has been an almost even, riveting contest, but then it takes just one bad session to throw the game away!

Edit:NZ definitely have an edge now with their 32 run lead. Need a good, solid batting performance from India (36 all out is still haunting my mind though!).

[hothatchaway]

Mohammed Shami has been out of this world, a masterclass on what swing bowling ought to be.

Without doubt the best exponent of swing bowling in the world today

[NPV]

This WTC final is poised for an excellent finish on the reserve day today, just wish we could've had better weather during first few days of the game.

Weather permitting, if we get the full 90 overs today, a result could definitely be possible, let's see how it pans out, though I think New Zealand do have the edge.

Thinking pessimistically, if the Indian batting collapses in the first session, it should be a NZ win. Doesn't seem like India has the time to set a target and then bowl the blackcaps out.

I would be happy to see a draw, even that will need a very determined batting performance from India

[PPS]

Its going to be a stern test for our middle order to save this Final! Its all about survival, forget about setting a target. But they should also keep the scoreboard ticking over & try to reach 200 odd.

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

Mohammed Shami has been out of this world, a masterclass on what swing bowling ought to be. Without doubt the best exponent of swing bowling in the world today

Our Pace Attack is primarily seam oriented & that includes Shami. Even Grandhomme can perhaps extract more swing than our attack.

[harry10]

India can't win. Not enough time to set a good total and then take 10 wickets, especially when Bumrah has been off color all game. But NZ can still win it if we collapse badly. So, drop anchor and play the first 2 sessions without losing too many wickets.

[whencut86]

Originally Posted by ebonho

This has clearly gone beyond farcical now.

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Whatever one's team allegiances are, and whatever scheduling restrictions were at play with ICC, this is no way to decide a 'championship'. Ultimate test? Ultimate farce is more like it.

Absolutely agree. India had too many rain interventions and wet conditions in the first innings compared to NZ's first innings. NZ had a sunny day yesterday with good light all through the day and they couldn't capitulate on that.

I hate it when cricket sites project it as if India are playing poor cricket and NZ are playing some amazing cricket. Our own folks have absolutely no confidence in the Indian bowlers at all. For the past few years 5-6 Indian bowlers are managing an average of 25 which is better or at par with all other top teams. The only bowler who is averaging above 25 is Umesh Yadav at 27 and even he would pick plenty of wickets in these conditions.

I hope India bat out more than 2 sessions today and settle for a draw. I am sure had there been a proper match, the likes of Pant and Jadeja could have gotten us those quick runs to set up a target and let our bowlers do their bit.

Hate to lose quick wickets and lose to NZ whose only in the final because of pure luck due to the cancelled Aus vs SA series and India winning home series against England. They have not beaten any top team away from home to even warrant a place in the final whereas the likes of India, Aus and Eng have played well away from home as well.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by whencut86

...India had too many rain interventions and wet conditions in the first innings compared to NZ's first innings...

...NZ whose only in the final because of pure luck due to the cancelled Aus vs SA series and India winning home series against England. They have not beaten any top team away from home to even warrant a place in the final whereas the likes of India, Aus and Eng have played well away from home as well.

Varying conditions are part & parcel of Test cricket, and the aspect of chance is ever present. I mean, it all starts with a coin toss.

It's the one-off nature of this contest that makes the situation ridiculous, but responsibility lies with the powers-that-be to schedule a reasonable contest in the present circumstances, where canceled games/tours, missing players, skewed home/away stats were all going to happen. The 'championship' was spread over two years, why the rush to decide the winner in a single rain-affected game?

It's no more absurd than NZ having to 'lose' the World Cup final on 'boundaries scored', but you abide by rules you agreed to play with, absurd as they may be.

You earn your victories, you deserve your losses, but on the base presumption that you compete on merit and fair play. Neither India nor New Zealand deserve to win or lose this way.

[NPV]

It's still a great game of Test cricket and well fought by India up until lunch on Day 6 (wow, that's a first!). Obviously, an Indian win seems remote but if the batting lasts till tea or just before that, we have more chances of a drawn game.

Wondering if there will be a situation of a 150 odd target for New Zealand to get in 30-40 overs and then it will be interesting to see if they try to chase that down for a win. Test cricket at its best, with just 2 sessions of play left, the result isn't a foregone conclusion

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by NPV

...

Wondering if there will be a situation of a 150 odd target for New Zealand to get in 30-40 overs and then it will be interesting to see if they try to chase that down for a win. Test cricket at its best, with just 2 sessions of play left, the result isn't a foregone conclusion

One hopes so, for the sake of the contest. Both teams have made a proper game of it, even with 2 full days lost.

NZ have recent history of a sporting declaration (different story ENG chose not to chase). Let's see what India do.

[AtheK]

This is getting scary, we needed at least 150 to make NZ think twice if they should play for draw or go for chase. They will go for the kill now.

Gripping last day!!

[NPV]

Down to last 2 wickets for India, I think the tide is with NZ now in a big way, say 90% chance of a New Zealand win to claim the WTC mace.

Edit: New Zealand need 138 to win in 53 overs, let's see what happens.

[Eddy]

Rubbish batting by India.

Will Kohli ever regain form?

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Rubbish batting by India.

Will Kohli ever regain form?

Worst part is, it is hardly swinging today. Today was one of the best conditions to bat. Everyone got a start, but no one made it count.

[karan0009]

Pathetic batting performance by India. They can't blame the pitch or weather for today's performance. No batsman was able to score 50 in any of the innings.

Target - 139
Overs left - Approx 53

Should be a breeze chase for New Zealand as there is nothing much for bowlers.

[Emvi]

Looks like Indian cricketers have decided to gift New Zealand an early Christmas present. It will be really interesting to see if New Zealand would want to return the favour by gifting Indians an early Diwali present.