SM
Bayern vs. Augsburg: 17 hrs 46 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Virat Kohli impresses as India frustrate New Zealand

:Headline: Virat Kohli impresses as India frustrate New Zealand:
The India captain was unbeaten on 44 at the end of day two at the Ageas Bowl.
Sports Mole

Virat Kohli led a battling effort from India's batsmen as they tussled with New Zealand for control of the inaugural World Test Championship final at the Ageas Bowl.

The winner-takes-all showpiece finally got into its stride on day two after Friday's washout, with India reaching 143 for three, but an intriguing contest was not allowed to play to its natural conclusion as the last of three separate breaks for bad light brought an early conclusion after 64.4 overs.

The picture could easily have been worse for India had they faltered under the kind of stiff examination that downed England at Edgbaston last week, but Kohli shepherded his side through with a resolute 44 not out from 124 deliveries.

His hunger to occupy the stage had already been in evidence when he remonstrated with the match officials during a curious incident when he was still on 17.

Kiwi captain Kane Williamson allowed the DRS clock to run down following a big appeal for caught behind off Trent Boult, only for umpire Richard Illingworth to refer the decision himself. Having effectively abdicated responsibility for a verdict of his own, he offered a sheepish 'soft signal' in the bowler's favour.

That was promptly overturned, the right verdict as UltraEdge showed no contact, but the drama around every potential Kohli dismissal was once again in full evidence.

Virat Kohli deep in discussion with umpire Richard Illingworth at the Ageas Bowl (Adam Davy/PA)

The day began under ominously leaden skies, Williamson enthusiastically asking India to bat first only to be repaid by a sloppy first hour from his new-ball bankers, Boult and Tim Southee.

In English conditions that batsmen dread the Kiwis allowed 41 runs in the first hour, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill only prevented from doing further damage by a sluggish outfield.

New Zealand were dragged back by Kyle Jamieson, who settled instantly into a troubling line and length and walked off in the evening with immaculate figures of 14-9-14-1.

Gill wore one vicious lifter in the helmet, while the dangerous Rohit (34) simply lost patience and nicked an outswinger to the diving Southee. After 20 overs and 62 runs scored, it was a much-needed breakthrough.

New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson celebrates the wicket of Rohit Sharma (Adam Davy/PA).

Neil Wagner was the fifth New Zealand bowler to get his hands on the Dukes ball but needed only three deliveries to what the others could not, flicking the edge of Gill's bat to send him back for 28.

From that point, almost nothing came easily for the batsmen. With Jamieson pointing the way, the rest of the attack levelled up and began asking all the right questions. After taking lunch at 69 for two, India added another 51 in a fiendishly tricky afternoon session as Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara dug in.

The latter did not get off the mark until his 36th ball, was hit on the head by Wagner and eventually fell for eight as Boult trapped him lbw, but Kohli was intent on sticking around.

is first scoring shot had been a sweet hit through cover for four but that proved something of a red herring as he favoured blocks, leaves and gentle dabs to keep the score ticking.

Cheteshwar Pujara is struck on the helmet by Neil Wagner (Adam Davy/PA).

For a player with so many flourishes at his disposal, this was a fighter's knock and the lack of any further boundaries did not ruffle him whatsoever as kept his technique compact.

In Ajinkya Rahane (29no) he found a diligent support act, and the pair knuckled down for the remainder of a disjointed day.

The tea break came 15 minutes early as the Illingworth and Michael Gough took an overly cautious approach, a trend that continued as the players were ushered off after two more mini sessions.

The frustration of the 3,200 fans in attendance was not hard to hear and with just 64.4 overs possible out of a scheduled 180, even a reserve day may not be enough to avoid the title – and the £1.74million prize pot – being split.

body check tags ::

amp_article__452012 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-19 17:46:59:
html db last update - 2021-06-19 17:46:59 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:
GV
Read Next:
World Test Championship final day one abandoned due to rain
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Virat Kohli Cricket
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
World Test Championship final day one abandoned due to rain
Two more years! Man City confirm Pep Guardiola contract extension
Reunion at Man United: Amorim 'has spoken' to Sporting star over 2025 transfer

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Top 20 Premier League managers who have taken charge of the most games in history

1

T2

Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

2

PC

Maresca to extend olive branch to struggling Chelsea attacker?

NEW

3

MT

Preview: Leicester vs. Chelsea - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PL

Preview: Arsenal vs. Nott'm Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PA

Preview: Man City vs. Spurs - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PM

January move? Tottenham emerge as 'possible destination' for Chelsea ace

7

JM

Juventus, Napoli 'chase shock loan deal' for Chelsea outcast

8

JN

Shock transfer? Real Madrid 'considering mid-season move' for Man United star

9

ST

Chelsea set eye-watering Fernandez asking price amid Real Madrid interest?

10

CS


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .