It wasn’t the first time in the ongoing inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final, that the deputy Indian skipper, Ajinkya Rahane has been strangled down the leg-side by a Kiwi fast bowler. Twitter was mightily disappointed with the Indian vice-captain for throwing his wicket away in both the innings of the game against New Zealand for the second time in the final.
Here is the video of the dismissal:
https://twitter.com/rishobpuant/status/1407657247023321095?s=20
Here is how the Indian fans criticized Ajinkya Rahane for his wicket:
https://twitter.com/Puneite_/status/1407664113853947907?s=20
Kabhi Rahane soft dismissal ke peeche, kabhi soft dismissal Rahane ke peeche, TOO MUCH FUN!
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) June 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/entSureshK/status/1407657532039090178?s=20
Rahane should have played his lap pull on that. Rather get out caught at square leg than get strangled down the leg side. #WTC2021
— cricBC (@cricBC) June 23, 2021
I don't know why India given too much chance to Pujara Rahane in playing XI, We should give chance to new Batsman like Hanuma Bihari, KL Rahul, Mayank Agrawal #WTC2021
— Rahul🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@RahulKu30974732) June 23, 2021
So Rahane did Rahane again 😐
— Mukesh Srivastwa (@marvelousmukesh) June 23, 2021
No one can take the wicket of rahane except himself 👍
— 18fl🚬 (@worldfamousclwn) June 23, 2021
Rahane must've maximum number of soft dismissals. Would be a record for him if there is one such category. #WTCFinal #INDvNZ
— Sharath Sathu (@sharathsathu) June 23, 2021
Earlier in the day, Kyle Jamieson managed to give back-to-back blows to the Indian team by taking the key wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. The 6 feet 8 inches tall fast bowler, struck again in his next over by taking another prized wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara. Jamieson’s length delivery caught Pujara’s outside edge and the ball found its way to Ross Taylor stationed at slips.
WATCH – Kyle Jamieson Gives Double Blow To India Early On Reserve Day
Jamieson’s two major blows to India within the first half-an-hour of play and had increased New Zealand’s chances of clinching the Test Mace on the reserve day of the marquee Test. Earlier, New Zealand managed to take a decent lead of 32 runs in the first innings after pacer Mohammed Shami’s four-wicket haul (4/76) curbed them to 249 in the rain-marred clash.
Kyle Jamieson was effective in the first innings as well. Along with bowling a brilliant spell of 5/31, he chipped with a 16-ball 21 to frustrate Indian bowlers. Jamieson and Tim Southee (30 off 46) contributed with a vital knock from captain Kane Williamson played a composed 49-run knock.
ALSO READ: Irfan Pathan Feels India Will Go For A Win On The Reserve Day
In response to New Zealand’s 249, Indian openers Shubman Gill (8 off 33 balls) and Rohit Sharma (30 off 81 balls) set their sights on a prolonged opening partnership before Tim Southee dismissed both of them. India ended the fifth day at 64/2, with a 32-run lead over the Kiwis and Kohli-Pujara duo at the crease.
