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Virat Kohli
Indian skipper Virat Kohli stated that it was a unanimous decision not to change the playing XI for the ICC WTC final. The decision was taken because the Indian cricket team did not have a seam-bowling all-rounder in their squad. India lost the historic final to New Zealand by 8 wickets at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. India had declared their playing XI on the eve of the WTC final. The management decided to go ahead with the selected team despite the consistent rain and overcast conditions in England.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was not included in the Test team because he has not bowled much lately. The management also did not name Shardul Thakur in the 15-member squad for the WTC final. The Mumbaikar had impressed everyone with both bat and ball in the Brisbane Test. His exclusion from the team was quite a shock for everyone.
Virat Kohli defended his decision to play both Jadeja and Ashwin in the final
The management reckoned that both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin add depth to the batting department. However, none of them could do well with the bat. Talking about the bowling department, R Ashwin picked 4 wickets in the match but Jadeja could only grab one wicket. Jadeja dismissed Tim Southee in the first innings.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli congratulated New Zealand for their historic win. Kohli reckoned that the Kiwis showed great heart to pull off a victory in a rain-hit Test match. The ICC World Test Championship final went into the sixth day (reserve day) with all three results possible. However, a draw was the most predicted one. Pacer Tim Southee changed the game in favor of New Zealand and produced an inspiring performance with the ball. He helped New Zealand bowl out team India for 170 runs in the second innings.
Chasing a below-par target of 139 to win, New Zealand lost opening batsmen Tom Latham and Devon Conway to Ravichandran Ashwin. However, senior batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor put on an unbroken partnership to win the crucial match for their side. Virat Kohli praised New Zealand’s consistency and stated that they thoroughly deserved to be crowned as the maiden ICC WTC winners.