WC Final: India also had a decent strike, they counterattacked after the fall of Kohli, the wicket of Pujara-Kane William

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said India had a “fair chance” to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final and that all three results were possible despite the early wickets of Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

The 30-year-old, who scored unbeaten 52 to guide his team to a historic 8-wicket win at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on Wednesday, said that India counter-attacked and looked for quick scoring opportunities after the fall of two early wickets in the first hour of Reserve Day.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Williamson said the surface was still good for bowling.

“For us it was very much going in the day, expecting every result was realistic and trying to do as well as we could. Nothing different from the last few days and see how games unfurl and opportunity arises. It was great to take early wickets on that, that set up more chances of result on that day. India team counter-attacked after that, India had a fair shot too. Surface was offering to bowlers. It was intense for us,” Wilaimson told India Today.

The final hanged in balance with all 3 results possible before the reserve sixth day but the game tilted completely in favour of New Zealand in the first session when they reduced India to 72 for 4, thanks to a brilliant spell from Kyle Jamieson in which he removed Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in quick succession.

India eventually folded for 170 in their second innings on a good batting day in Southampton, leaving New Zealand just 139 runs to chase which they did comfortably in just one session, losing 2 wickets, to win their second ICC trophy after the 2000 Champions Trophy.