IND vs NZ WTC final highlights: Bad light forces early stumps on Day 2

The skipper got good support from Rahane (29 not out off 79) in the final session where bad light stopped play twice before umpires called it a day. Check India vs New Zealand WTC final highlights

Virat Kohli led India's resolute batting effort against a high quality New Zealand attack in testing conditions before bad light brought an anti-climatic end to day two of the World Test Championship final at The Hampshire Bowl, Southampton on Saturday.

Check IND vs NZ WTC final Day 3 live coverage, match and weather updates here

Top batsmen in ICC WTC 2019-21

Rohit Sharma (34 off 68) and Shubman Gill (28 off 64), opening for the first time in England, showed remarkable application against the moving ball to share a 62-run stand before Kohli (44 not out off 124) came into his own with a steely knock to take India to 146 for three at stumps on a start-stop second day.

The skipper got good support from Ajinkya Rahane (29 not out off 79) in the final session where bad light stopped play twice before umpires called it a day. A total of 64.4 overs could be bowled on Saturday including only 9.1 in the final session. The opening day was washed out.

As expected, Kohli was ready for the challenge posed by an all seam attack on an overcast day. He played late and close to his body, was happy to leave balls outside the off stump and cashed in on the slightest of scoring opportunities.

His only boundary, a sublime cover drive off Neil Wagner, came before lunch but kept the scoreboard ticking with twos and threes.

Kohli's deputy Rahane did not start convincingly but his feet movement and shot selection got better as his innings progressed. Three of his four boundaries came post tea.

India, who had reached 69 for two at lunch, was only able to add 51 runs in the afternoon with the loss of Cheteshwar Pujara (8 off 54).

Compared to the morning session, New Zealand's all pace attack showed much more discipline.

IND vs NZ: Top Indian bowler in WTC

WTC final: India scorecard on Day 2 at Stumps

Batsmen	Dismissals	Runs	Balls	Fours	Sixes
Rohit Sharma	c Southee b Jamieson	34	68	6	0
Shubman Gill	c Watling b Wagner	28	64	3	0
Cheteshwar Pujara	lbw b Boult	8	54	2	0
Virat Kohli	not out	44	124	1	0
Ajinkya Rahane	not out	29	79	4	0
Total: 146-3 in 64.4 Overs
Bowler	Overs	Maiden	Runs	Wickets
Tim Southee	17	4	47	0
Trent Boult	12.4	2	32	1
Kyle Jamieson	14	9	14	1
Colin de Grandhomme	11	6	23	0
Neil Wagner	10	3	28	1

IND vs NZ final prize money, WTC playing conditions, reserve day, Follow-on rule

IND vs NZ WTC final playing 11
 
India playing 11 for WTC final: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

New Zealand playing 11 for WTC final:  Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(w), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

10:32 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Waiting game continues

Umpires are gone back after reviewing the light situation. They are having a chat with New Zealand players. Still waiting for an official update from Southampton

10:23 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates

The umpires are in the middle to assess the playing conditions. We will have some news in a moment.

10:08 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates

Bad news from Southampton, the square is also undercover now. The groundsmen anticipating rain is nearby.

10:06 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates

We are waiting for the light to improve at Southampton. The encouraging sign is that there it is not raining at the moment.

9:51 PM

NEWS ALERT: Kohli completes 7,500 runs in Test cricket

India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday reached the mark of 7,500 runs in the longest format of the game.

 

He achieved the feat in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand. Kohli surpassed the mark on Day Two of the ongoing Test match.

 

Kohli has now become the ninth-fastest batsman to cross the 7500 run mark in Test cricket. Among Indian cricketers, he is the fourth fastest to achieve this feat.

 

Kohli, along with India batting great Sunil Gavaskar, took 154 innings to bring up 7500 runs in the longest format while Sachin Tendulkar had taken 144 innings to achieve this milestone.

 

As Virat Kohli walked out for the toss with New Zealand's Kane Williamson at the Ageas Bowl in the World Test Championship final, he surpassed MS Dhoni's record of leading the Indian team in most Test matches. READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
 

9:40 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

The hover covers are coming on, there won't be a prompt restart it seems.

9:26 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 64.4 Overs: 146-3 | Bad light stops again

India (1st innings): 146-3; Virat Kohli (44), Ajinkya Rahane (29)

Boult continues...

Rahane leaves the first ball alone while collects a single off the next ball.

Kohli taps the third ball towards deep backward point for a couples of runs. Light meter is out again and they are walking off again. Umpires are still in the middle. 

9:23 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 64 Overs: 143-3

Over summary: 0 0 2 0 0 0 ; India (1st innings): 143-3; Virat Kohli (42), Ajinkya Rahane (28)

Southee continues and Kohli collects a couple of runs off the third delivery.

9:22 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 63 Overs: 141-3

Over summary: 0 0 L1 0 0 0 ; India (1st innings): 141-3; Virat Kohli (40), Ajinkya Rahane (28)

Trent Boult [11.0-1-29-1] is back into the attack and Virat Kohli collects a leg byes for India.

9:12 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 62 Overs: 140-3

Over summary: 0 2 0 0 0 0 ; India (1st innings): 140-3; Virat Kohli (40), Ajinkya Rahane (28)

Southee continues and concedes a couple of runs to Rahane.

9:08 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 61 Overs: 138-3

Over summary: 0 0 0 0 0 0 ; India (1st innings): 138-3; Virat Kohli (40), Ajinkya Rahane (26)

Jamieson continues and bowls a MAIDEN over to Virat Kohli.

9:03 PM

IND vs NZ Live score after 60 Overs: 138-3 | Rahane, Kohli put up 50-run stand

Over summary: 0 0 0 4 0 0 ; India (1st innings): 138-3; Virat Kohli (40), Ajinkya Rahane (26)

Southee continues and Rahane pulls the 4th ball towards deep square leg for FOUR.

9:01 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Play resumes

Play resumes at Southampton and Kohli play out the remaining two deliveries.

8:55 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Covers are coming off

Covers are coming off at The Ageas Bowl, players are getting ready. We can see some cricketing action in few minutes...

8:51 PM

IND vs NZ WTC final live updates: Southampton weather

According to UK met office forecast, there is 10 per cent chance of rainfall.