Kane Williamson, the captain of New Zealand’s World Test Championship-winning side was of the view that a one-off final provides an exciting set-up but can never really depict an entire picture about how formidable Virat Kohli’s Indian team is.
New Zealand beat India by eight wickets in the rain-affected WTC final in Southampton on the reserve 6th day with Kane Williamson scoring an unbeaten half-century in a modest 139-run chase.
Kane Williamson: India’s Loss In The WTC Final Doesn’t Take Anything Away From Their Formidable Strength
India topped the points table in the inaugural WTC cycle (2019-21) with 12 wins, four losses, and a draw. New Zealand, meanwhile, reached the summit clash after playing the least number of games among the top-eight teams – 11 – winning seven of them.
“The set-up provides excitement. One-off final, it never really tells the whole picture,” Williamson told the ‘India Today’ channel.
“As we know, this Indian team is a formidable side. It’s a great side and we are proud to achieve a win in this match but it doesn’t take away anything from the fact that how strong they are and what quality they have.”
“No doubt they will win plenty more, you know their quality. They are relentless, they have a pace attack which is best in the world, incredible spin bowlers and batting need no mention. The depth that they have created,” Williamson waxed eloquent.
Kane Williamson termed the Indian cricketers as great ambassadors of the game and also simply loves the kind of passion their fans have for their national side.
“Emotion that a country brings for sport, we can all appreciate having India and their passion is rewarding. They (players) hold themselves as ambassadors of the game,” he added.
Kane Williamson felt that all three results were possible in various percentages going into the final 6th reserve day, but admitted everyone perhaps felt that with lack of time, a draw looked the most imminent result.
“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.”
Kane Williamson agreed that getting Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara out early did set it up nicely for them.
“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 and India had a fair shot too. The surface was offering to bowlers. It was intense for us,” the Balck caps skipper said.
Ajinkya Rahane was one of six batsmen to have registered more than 1000 runs in the current WTC cycle(1095 runs). Rohit Sharma (1030) was the other Indian batsman to be in the top six. Ravichandran Ashwin(67 scalps) was also one of five bowlers in the world to have taken more than 50 wickets in the current WTC cycle.
Kane Williamson: Kyle Jamieson Is Vital For New Zealand
Kane Williamson was adjudged leg before wicket by on-field umpire Michael Gough of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s bowling but he reviewed the decision to get a favourable result.
“It was close because you were given out. I thought the way Ravi turns (off-break) the ball, I thought it might give us a chance. Nice to review it and it came my way.”
Kane Williamson termed Kyle Jamieson as a “brilliant player” who “brings in the real point of difference”.
“He is a brilliant player. New to the international scene and just brought his own attitude, the ‘team first’ attitude, wanting to contribute with ball and bat as well. It is vital for us. He has bowled so many significant spells. Has a huge appetite to learn and improve. He wants to bowl and bowl and brings in the real point of difference,” he concluded.
The architects of New Zealand’s victory were Kane Williamson(49 and 52*), Kyle Jamieson (5/31 in the 1st innings), and Tim Southee (4/48 in the 2nd innings). New Zealand was so disciplined with the ball throughout the match that they didn’t let an Indian batsman score a fifty in the entire Test. Kyle Jamieson was named Man of the Match for his match-winning spell in the first innings as he became the first bowler to pick a five-wicket haul in the WTC final.