ICC World Test Championship final: India, New Zealand renew rivalry as trophy drought grabs limelight

Fans are abuzz with excitement at the prospect of witnessing an enthralling clash between India and New Zealand, with the two teams set to face off in the final of the maiden edition of the World Test Championship (WTC). Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, the captains of the two teams share a great relationship both on and off the field. There is mutual admiration for the achievements of the other in the minds of both the players. However, one of the most defining aspects of their personalities and character is the ruthlessness for success that they possess. While Kohli openly showcases his hunger to emerge victorious at any cost, Williamson prefers to avoid displaying his intensity in an open manner just like MS Dhoni. However, the New Zealand cricketer can be as ruthless as his Indian counterpart when the occasion demands, as evident in the semi-final of the 2019 edition of the ICC World Cup.

Williamson emerged as the second highest run-getter for his team in the high-profile encounter, scoring 67 runs off 95 deliveries in an innings comprising of six boundaries. Team India fans started making plans for the final, after New Zealand managed to score just 239 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs. However, there was a twist in the tale as they soon realised on the second day of the semi-final after rain played truant. Matt Henry, Trent Boult and Mitchell Santner wreaked havoc accounting for the quick dismissals of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Dinesh Karthik. MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja stitched a vital partnership to help India rebuild the innings having been reduced to 92/6 in 30.3 overs. However, the Black Caps held their nerve to seal a win in a do-or-die encounter by a margin of 18 runs.

Williamson’s New Zealand is further the only side that defeated India in a Test series throughout the inaugural edition of the WTC. The Asian giants’ defeat in the opening game of the series subjected them to their first Test defeat since the Perth Test in 2019. While the Black Caps skipper will be proud of his team’s achievements against the Asian giants, this domination has further been witnessed in previous editions of ICC tournaments as well.

New Zealand have emerged as winners in all their encounters against India in major ICC tournaments, since the 2003 World Cup. The Blacks Caps were the only team to beat India in the ICC World T20 2007, where the latter recorded their maiden World T20 triumph. While Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag helped the Asian giants get off to a flying start in a chase of 191 runs, Daniel Vettori’s spell of 4/20 helped the Kiwis record a narrow 10-run victory.

This was further followed by the triumph in the ICC World T20 2016. India were considered favourites going into the league encounter against New Zealand. The Kiwis were further restricted to 126/7 in Nagpur. However, spinners Mitchell Santner, Nathan McCullum and Ish Sodhi accounted for 6 wickets between them, to bundle the hosts for a mere 79.

This was followed by the win in the semi-finals of the ICC ODI World Cup 2019, as well as the series whitewash in the two-match Test series at home against India.

The mental side of things does play a massive role, as witnessed recently in the IPL 2021 league encounter between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI). The former choked their way to a defeat in a game where victory seemed like a mere formality. Kohli’s men will need to negotiate the baggage of negativity in an effective manner if they are to emerge triumphant. What will certainly be a source of motivation is an opportunity to end an 8-year trophy drought in ICC tournaments.

India and New Zealand look to snap trophy drought

India last recorded a title win in ICC tournaments back in 2013, when they defeated hosts England in the final of the Champions Trophy. New Zealand came very close to winning their first trophy since the Champions Trophy triumph in 2000-01, in the ICC World Cup 2019 where they were defeated by England in a thrilling encounter. However, the wait goes on for both the teams and the upcoming WTC final presents the perfect opportunity to snap a troubling barren run.

Williamson stated that his players had moved on from the defeat in the final of the ICC World Cup 2019.

“No, I do not think so (about being affected by the defeat), certainly not something that the guys have spoken about. I guess being a different side really with a different format as well. The focus is definitely on the transition from not playing much cricket or from where the guys who have played white ball cricket to just change into that Test format but hopefully there is still a great atmosphere for that game. The match you mentioned was a very memorable one and obviously it had some controversy and it had everything, and people loved watching it, at the end of the day. That is why people got a lot out of it. Hopefully, it is a great spectacle, and we get a decent crowd, and it is a really good game,” he said as quoted by the ICC.

The New Zealand skipper had words of praise for Brendon Mccullum, who helped New Zealand develop into a strong team.

“Obviously, Baz and Mike Hesson took over and gave the team a strong direction that was huge in creating a much-improved environment. Nothing promises results but you know we did see a lot of areas of the game, the style with which we tried to play the game changed, and certainly changed for the better. He and Mike must take a lot of credit for that. Obviously, it was a while ago when the transition started but he is a fantastic leader and did an amazing job with our side.”

Virat Kohli expressed his view point on the significance of the WTC final, in an interaction with the press before the team left for England.

“This holds a lot of value. Especially this being the first of its kind. And in the toughest format. All of us take a lot of pride in playing Test cricket and the way we have progressed as a side is an example of what Test cricket means to us. For all of us as a unit, those who have been part of the Test side for many years, this is like the accumulation of all the hard work time of not just the duration of the championship but the last five-six years. Since the time we started coming up the ranks and building up a side. We are very very happy to play the final,” he said as quoted by Cricinfo.

The WTC final will mark the conclusion of one team’s trophy drought. While both the captains have expressed their enthusiasm ahead of the encounter, it will be interesting to note the team that negotiates the pressure and conditions better.