Two days got washed out, while three days were marred by rain in the 2021 ICC World Test Championship final between New Zealand and India. But, Kane Williamson’s New Zealand still managed to beat Virat Kohli’s Team India by eight wickets on the Reserve Day to seal the inaugural WTC title at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
With another defeat in the summit clash, captain Kohli’s wait to lift the coveted ICC trophy stretched further, and now his eyes will be on the upcoming T20 World Cup to end this drought.
India were bundled out for 170 in their second innings after Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson wrecked havoc again and removed Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply in the first session of play.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant scored 41 but didn’t find support at the other end. Indian tailenders could add only 28 runs – their lowest total against the Blackcaps since 2020.
Chasing the paltry 139, New Zealand too lost both their openers for just 44 runs. However, captain Kane (52*) stood like a rock once again and took his team over the finish line along with experienced campaigner Ross Taylor (47*).
After the match, while a number of fans were quick to congratulate the Kiwis, others waited no time in lashing out at Kohli and went to the extent of calling Team India ‘chokers’.
#captaincy isn't just aggression and profanity, #MSDhoni rarely displayed anger and emotions on field, one of his success mantra.
Even Williamson is a saint on field.
I think Kohli is a gem but as a batsman, so was Sachin Tendulkar.
Congratulations NZ #BCCI
Chokers pic.twitter.com/WA4hA5f618— Lawyaar™ (@DESIATTORNEY1) June 23, 2021
K ~ Knock
O ~ Out
H ~ Haarenge
L ~ Lifetime
I ~ I-ShappatFullform Of Choker Kohli. #IndvNz #WTC2021Final
— Babu Bhaiya (@Shahrcasm) June 23, 2021
This is the Williamson's career best knock for me 🔥❤️
Knock under enormous pressure & big knockout final & final day of the test match under challenging conditions👍💥
This is how captain should play ,not like choker virat kohli👎💔#WTC2021Final #WTCFinal #INDvNZ
— MaayoN ᶜˢᵏ 💫🕴️😎 (@itz_satheesh3) June 23, 2021
Worst performance ever.. #chokers #virat kohli #india cricket team #bcci
— Deepak Mishra (@DeepakM17636943) June 24, 2021
India has lost another ICC tournament under choker Kohli's captaincy and this statement remains true.
Indian cricket fans will have to suffer more as Egoistic Kohli will never step down as captain, and continue until he is thrown out.#WTCFinal2021 #WTCFinal21— Troll Chokli (@ChokerKohli) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/SawaiPramod/status/1407765951332851712
Kohli must step down from #captaincy
Can't even win a single ICC Trophy…#MSDhoni #WTC2021Final #Kohli pic.twitter.com/T5rtFYENX3— Arpanock (@Arpana121) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/vijjuxi/status/1407766313682882561
