The rain delayed the start of the third day’s play for half an hour but when it resumed New Zealand bowlers were right on the money from the word go. Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were overnight batsmen and India were heavily wanted them to go long and put a big score.
However, Kyle Jamieson was bowling brilliantly and didn’t give an inch to Indian batsmen. In the process, he chipped in Kohli’s prized scalp before removing dangerous Rishabh Pant. Rahane looked composed but played a rash shot and threw his wicket just one run short of his fifty. Ravichandran Ashwin played few shots before perishing to Tim Southee for 22 runs.
Also Read: Shami smashes Jamieson’s hattrick ball for boundary, Twitter reacts
Jamieson took no time in removing the tailenders and bagged his fifth five-wicket haul. India managed just 217 runs in their first innings, adding only 71 runs in their overnight score while losing seven wickets.
New Zealand openers Tom Lathom and Davon Conway played the new ball very well and looked in control. They put on a 70-run opening stand before Latham got out to Ashwin while playing a cover drive.
Conway’s marry to Test cricket continued as he notched up yet another fifty but fell soon after. Ishant Sharma removed him at the fag end of the day for 54, for which Conway took 153 balls.
Also Read: Indian fans slam Kyle Jamieson for dismissing Virat Kohli
Indian posed some serious questions to Kiwi batsmen but they played sensibly to not throw their wickets away. New Zealand were 101/2 in 49 overs when umpires stopped the play due to poor lights, which eventually forced stumps.
We got a lot more action than yesterday with rain keeping at bay after delaying the start. The weather doesn’t look good for tomorrow at the moment and we have only nine sessions remaining in the Tests if we take the reserve day into the account. So far, New Zealand are on top of the WTC Final but tomorrow can the decisive day.
Have a look at how Twitter reacted on the third day’s play;
These Kiwis don't drop anything in the slips ….
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2021
Indian batsmen this morning 🤷♂️ #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/AwyayrJ6Nk
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) June 20, 2021
Cancel his RCB contract.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) June 20, 2021
Much like New Zealand, India's bowlers haven't started too well either
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2021
Gone ☝️
Ishant Sharma gets the big wicket of Devon Conway! The New Zealand opener falls for 54.#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/384ZivHQu3 pic.twitter.com/wVUO1CFciE
— ICC (@ICC) June 20, 2021
Ashwin bowling, Pant keeping.
Surely, you can hear this image! #ComeOnAsh #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/NKr5WJEArF
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) June 20, 2021
Today the average run rate for the whole day has been 2.27, but inspite of that what a riveting days test cricket, the ebbs and flows . Classic test cricket , with the ball dominating the bat thanks to proper English conditions .#WTCFinal2021
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 20, 2021
Most away Test wickets for India:
Anil Kumble – 269
Kapil Dev – 215
Zaheer Khan – 207
Ishant Sharma – 200*#IshantSharma #WTCFinal— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) June 20, 2021
India need to come back strongly in this test match after a day that belonged entirely to New Zealand. There is enough time left in this game for a result.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 20, 2021
India surely behind at the end of Day 3 but this isn’t the first time they’ve been pushed on the backfoot in a crunch game.
With their backs against the wall, you’d still back them to come out swinging! Maybe tomorrow’s the day. 🤞🏼#WTCFinal21 #CricbuzzChatter
— Tanay Tiwari (@Tanay_Tiwari) June 20, 2021
Have to say @ashwinravi99 is bringing the concept of “spinners buying wickets” back into vogue #WTCFinal21
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 20, 2021
