WTC Final: India vs New Zealand - Day 3: 3 Talking Points

India got the much-needed wicket of Devon Conway in the last over of the day three’s play in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton. With New Zealand at 101 for 2, India will be under pressure as they have only 116 runs to defend from here on. Here are some of the talking points of day three of the ICC WTC Final:

1. Kyle Jamieson’s spell

Kyle Jamieson has started his career quite brilliantly. It almost seems that he was tailor-made for fast-bowling in his Test cricket. He had troubled the Indian batsmen during their New Zealand tour in early 2020. On the third day of the final of the ICC WTC 2021, New Zealand needed a special effort from him. He pitched it up, swung the ball both ways, and got the key wickets. 

Most importantly, he didn’t allow the Indian tail to get an opportunity to get some handy runs in the end. In addition to this, he just gave 31 runs in 22 overs. His ability to contain the Indian batsmen was fantastic. With 44 wickets from 15 innings, with five five-wicket hauls, and an average of 14.14, there is a lot to like about this young speedster and there is no doubt that he is going to be a future icon.                                                 

2. India’s bowling 

India was expected to use the conditions to their best effect. They did and they didn’t, at the same time. While they managed to tie down the New Zealand batsmen by not allowing them to run away with the match with easy runs, they also failed to pick up wickets. At 101 for 2, New Zealand is in the box seat at this moment, but even they know things could quickly change on day four.

Having said that, it is worth noting that India stuck to the strategy of bowling wide, which didn’t bring a lot of rewards. There was a jarring difference between the swing which Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah got in comparison to what the New Zealand pacers had.  On day four, they have to find their lines and most importantly pick wickets. 

3. Ajinkya Rahane’s dismissal

At 182 for 5, India had Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease. At 49, the vice-captain was looking quite solid at the crease. However, a clever strategy used by Kane Williamson and Neil Wagner helped the Kiwis to get rid of Rahane, who was probably the only batsman who looked in complete control apart from Virat Kohli. Tom Latham was placed at the mid-wicket position, as Wagner dared Rahane to pull him with a tempting bouncer. The batsman failed to keep the ball down as it went straight to Latham. From here on, the slide of India’s batting was inevitable.