Hard Not to Love Them: Social Media Elated as NZ Win WTC Final
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor played some very stylish shots as they guided their team to the World Test Championship title with an 8-wicket win in Southampton against India.
Earlier in the day, the Kiwi pacers led by Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee forced the issue in the morning session of the Reserve day and bowled out India for 170 in the second innings.
Significant dates! ✍ #WTC21 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/kjwxzqfOTX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
NZ needed 139 runs to win from 53 overs and survived a spell of pressure after R Ashwin removed the openers, before their two most experienced batters took charge of the situation.
Williamson, who was joined by Ross Taylor at the fall of the second wicket, then dropped anchor as they absorbed the pressure.
The two experienced batters were in no rush and waited patiently for the bad balls and even copped a few blows on the body but did not flinch or concede an inch.
Humility, hard work, dedication to the team and the fans. World champions in so many ways.
Gather ye rose buds while ye may..........@BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/475Q3wz4mg— Grant Elliott (@grantelliottnz) June 23, 2021
India had a massive chance to put more pressure on the batters when Taylor edged one off Jasprit Bumrah but Cheteshwar Pujara in first slip could not hold on to an easy catch. Taylor was on 27 at the time.
Once the duo got their eye in, they made it look easy, playing elegant shots on both sides of the field as India’s shoulders started to drop.
They claimed the first position in the #worldtestchampionshipfinal
They became the number 1 #testteam before the #iccfinal #INDvNZ #KaneWilliamson one of the most calm captains who led his team in last two year the beat way he can. #CongratulationNZ #IndiaVsNewZealand pic.twitter.com/wzlsV4T5AQ— Nitin Rawat (@rawatnitin18) June 23, 2021
NZ needed 35 runs in the final hour and Williamson almost lost his wicket to Mohammed Shami but survived as Jasprit Bumrah failed to hold on to a tough chance.
While Williamson finished with an unbeaten 52, Taylor had 47 to his name. Taylor hit the winning runs off Mohammed Shami. Unfortunately for India, Ishant Sharma went off just before the end.
To Kane and all of the boys.
We love you ❤️— Brendon McCullum (@Bazmccullum) June 23, 2021
This was also BJ Watling’s final Test. The game was also marred with heavy rain as two days were washed out.
Every time when someone says tonight cricket was the real winner after a game from now on, I'll think of this image. #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/dmTErD6aqs
— Sayantan Ghosh (@sayantansunnyg) June 23, 2021
True to form.. they celebrate the World Championship like only New Zealand can. Dignity personified!! #WTC21
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) June 23, 2021
Repeat after me:
KANE WILLIAMSON IS THE BEST CAPTAIN IN THE WORLD.— Sritama Panda (@cricketpun_duh) June 23, 2021
Congratulations #Kane and team New Zealand @BLACKCAPS for winning the #WorldTestChampionship NZ played better.. well deserved.. Team India chin up boys.. All the best for the England test series @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 23, 2021
It’s hard not to love everything about this team ….huge congrats @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/wsT1OlbPeH
— Charlotte Edwards (@C_Edwards23) June 23, 2021
ICC World Test Champions #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/sGLeXId63B
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS on winning the #worldtestchampionshipfinal. Great efforts by both the teams.
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) June 24, 2021
New Zealand are the winners of World Test Championship, number one in both Test & ODI Rankings, runners up in the last 2 World Cups and number three in T20I Rankings. They are a country of only 5 million people but the cricketing talent they are producing is just amazing. #WTC21
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2021
Scenes #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/YsAg4c6t2t
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
How fitting that Williamson and Taylor are the ones who steer NZ to victory. These two sides have given us such a brilliant, high quality final. Huge congratulations to the @BLACKCAPS & everyone who has been part of their incredible journey to the top. #WTCFinal #INDvNZ
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) June 23, 2021
Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS for winning the World Test Championship. Incredible performance and effort over the last 2 years. Special shout-out to India for getting to the Final also
— Ryan Burl (@ryanburl3) June 23, 2021
Emotions of 1.3 Billion Indians in one picture
Congratulations NZ. #WTCFinal #INDvsNZ #WTC2021Final pic.twitter.com/R2LXfa51fX— Lucky Pareta Official (@LuckyPareta9) June 23, 2021
India didn’t lose this Test because they picked two spinners, they didn’t lose this Test because of a psychological failing, they lost this Test because their middle order couldn’t withstand a supreme NZ bowling attack on day six. Shit happens, in life & in sport. #INDvNZ #WTC21
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) June 23, 2021
Who said nice guys can’t finish first! #KaneWilliamson & #blackcaps hearty congrats! Worthy champions. #WTC21 #NZvsIND
— Venky Mysore (@VenkyMysore) June 23, 2021
In men's senior cricket, New Zealand won two ICC tournament finals.
Both against India.
2000 CT (KnockOut) - India's first ICC tournament after Sourav Ganguly became captain.
2021 WTC - India's first ICC tournament after Sourav Ganguly became BCCI President#WTCFinal #INDvNZ— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) June 23, 2021
“Nice guys do finish first sometimes” @Sdoull . Absolutely right. Well done @BLACKCAPS well deserved.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 23, 2021
The New Zealand cricketers have more than done their bit.
Time for the board to market this achievement and make cricket a popular, cash-rich sport in the country.— Abhishek Mukherjee (@SachinAzharCT) (@ovshake42) June 23, 2021
India once again fail to reach the finish line after playing some brilliant and competitive cricket leading up to the knockout stage. Their men's team has lost semi-final or final in 6 straight ICC events - WT20 2014, WC 2015, WT20 2016, CT 2017, WC 2019, WTC 2021.
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 23, 2021
Well played #KaneWilliamson and the #Nzteam . Absolute champions
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) June 23, 2021
Kohli: "Test cricket is the heartbeat of cricket."
❤— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) June 23, 2021
Good things happen to good people. Congrats Kane Williamson.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) June 23, 2021
Congratulations @BLACKCAPS on an epochal triumph. Thoroughly deserved for the quality of skills and desire to win shown over the 2-year WTC cycle. Commiserations India. Fought hard, but not good enough in this all-important match
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 23, 2021
Last day presented best batting conditions….India lost 8 wickets for 108 runs. On the same surface India could take only 2 wickets for 140 runs. Explains NZ’s control on the final day of the final match. That’s what the two-year competition came down to… #WTCFinal
— Wear a Mask. Stay Safe, India (@cricketaakash) June 23, 2021
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