Kane Williamson led from the front by scoring a fluent half century as New Zealand beat India by eight wickets in the inaugural World Test Championship final at Southampton on Wednesday.
Resuming at 64/2, India lost both Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara to Kyle Jamieson for 13 & 15 respectively.
Rishabh Pant got a reprieve early on when Tim Southee dropped a relatively easy catch at slips off Jamieson at slips. The pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Pant resurrected the innings with a solid 37 run stand before the former was caught down the leg side by wicket keeper BJ Watling off Trent Boult.
Neil Wagner’s persistence with the short pitch ploy against Ravi Jadeja worked as the left hander edged one to Watling.
The 23 year old dashing wicket keeper batsman eventually fell to a brilliant catch by Henry Nicholls running back from point off Boult for 41.
Mohammed Shami struck some lusty blows before he eventually holed out in the deep while Jasprit Bumrah lasted just 4 deliveries as India were bowled out for 170 with an overall lead of 138.
Tim Southee was the pick of the bowlers for Black Caps with figures of 4/48, while Boult claimed 3 wickets.
Chasing 139, New Zealand opening pair of Tom Latham and Devon Conway got their team of to a steady start.
Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice by dismissing both the openers to reduce New Zealand to 44-2.
Kane Williamson along with Ros Taylor added an unbroken 96 run stand for the third wicket to take New Zealand to a comfortable 8 wicket win over India in the WTC final.
Kyle Jamieson was declared the Man of the Match.