New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern heaped praises on Kane Williamson and his team after they defeated India in the World Test Championship Final.

Kane Williamson played a crucial role in his team’s title win. He partnered with Ross Taylor to steer his team home with eight wickets in hand. Williamson scored an unbeaten fifty in the second innings to back his 49 runs in the first. Taylor remained not out on 47.

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“The Black Caps have made New Zealand proud. This was a masterful performance from a team at the top of their game and on top of the world.

“Kane Williamson and the team leadership have built a brilliant and humble squad who have become an inspiration to many New Zealanders,” Ardern said in a statement.

New Zealand ended their 20-year wait to win an ICC title. They came close to winning in 2015 and 2019 but lost both times in the finals of the World Cup. Stephen Fleming’s team won the Champions Trophy back in 2000, where they defeated India in the final.

“Over a number of years now we have seen the development of a team and team culture that has taken New Zealand cricket to world-beating heights,” Ardern further said.

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The match was severely hit by rain as two full days were washed out. ICC added a reserve day in advance, which came in handy for New Zealand.

India were in during the fifth day of the game but lost the plot on the final day when New Zealand pacers ran riot and bundled India for 170, leaving New Zealand to chase 139 runs in the remaining time of the day. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were keen to take their team home after early wickets. Taylor hit the winning run to send New Zealand in jubilation.