ICC WTC Final 2021: Twitter Reacts As India Ends The 2nd Day At 3/146 After Bad Light Forces Early Stumps

Bad light at the Hampshire Bowl has ensured that the 2nd day of the ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand came to a premature end with just 64.4 overs being bowled on what was an engrossing day of Test match cricket

Batting first, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill successfully negated the opening hour against the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, and Kyle Jamieson

The duo batted outside the crease to negate the movement, were proactive in the footmark, and cashed in on anything that was short or full with disdain.

Rohit Sharma, especially, looked in sublime touch. He left the ball outside the off-stump brilliantly, negated the seam and swing, and played some gorgeous shots during his 68-ball 34.

But, just as it looked like the openers were warming up for a 100-run-stand, Kyle Jamieson lulled Rohit Sharma into an ill-fated drive, only to give a catch to the slip cordon.

Shubman Gill, who has drove and pulled his way to 64-ball 28, followed suit in the very first over bowled by Neil Wagner

It all happened to the 3rd ball of the 25th over Shubman Gill pushed at a fullish length delivery away from his body to give BJ Watling a regulation catch.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli survived the last few overs before the lunch break to ensure that India went into the changing room at 2/69 after 28 overs.

The second session of the WTC final provided an engrossing passage of play as the New Zealand seamers bowled with a lot of discipline than they did in the first two hours and consistently tested the Indian batsmen,

Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara batted with a lot of patience against New Zealand’s first-choice seamers in Neil Wagner and Colin de Grandhomme in the opening hour of the post-Lunch session.

Colin de Grandhomme, in particular, was immaculate in his line and length and he consistently tested Virat and Pujara on and around the off-stump.

Pujara finally got off the mark with a cracking cut behind square on his 36th delivery and he backed it up with a sumptuous cover-drive, both against Neil Wagner. Wagner immediately resorted to short-pitch bowling and proceeded to hit Pujara on his helmet.

Kane Williamson made an inspired change by bringing Trent Boult and the move paid off immediately as the left-arm seamer trapped Pujara plumb in front of the wicket to leave India three down for 88.

The same over by Boult saw a controversial moment as the umpires, inexplicably, decided to go upstairs to check whether Virat had got a feather on a leg-side delivery.

New Zealand hadn’t reviewed it and the fact that the on-field umpire did not give his decision, made the move even more puzzling.

Kohli, however, survived as the ultra-edge confirmed that there was no spike.

The last hour of the second session saw attrition cricket as Kohli and Rahane continued to bat with a lot of discipline against the relentless Kiwi seamers, especially against Kyle Jamieson.

Virat Kohli, in particular, looked in immaculate control, as he respected the good balls but at the same, the legendary batter en-route to 7500 Test runs, continued to convert singles into 2s and 3s.

The 2nd session came to an abrupt end after the umpires decided that the light had deteriorated substantially and an early Tea was taken.

The game resumed shortly after the break but thanks to bad light, only 9.1 overs were possible in the 3rd session as India finished the day at 3/146 with skipper Virat Kohli [44 not-out off 124 balls] and Ajinkya Rahane [29 not-out off 79 balls] holding the fort with an unbeaten 58-run-stand.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Bad light plays spoilsport and that's stumps in Southampton!

India finish day two on 146/3 with Virat Kohli on 44* and Ajinkya Rahane keeping him company on 29*.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1 Final | #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z | h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->4<!---->v<!---->t<!---->S<!---->U<!---->y<!---->l<!---->i<!---->Q<!---->F p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->X<!---->q<!---->9<!---->v<!---->D<!---->4<!---->4<!---->8<!---->Z<!---->k

— ICC (@ICC) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Let’s be honest, NZ have not been at their best, this is the problem of a one game series, NZ are a great bowling attack in these conditions but one bad day (and they’ve had, since 2020, 8 good games consecutively, mean reversion was gonna hit) and all their work is in trouble.

— Dweplea (@dweplea) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

More bad light. This is a blight on the sport. Does cricket need better balls, better lights, or just a better attitude? Or all three?

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

That's a fine 50-run partnership between #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a Captain and his deputy.

Live – h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->C<!---->m<!---->r<!---->t<!---->W<!---->s<!---->u<!---->g<!---->S<!---->K #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->9<!---->r<!---->E<!---->7<!---->e<!---->A<!---->U<!---->J<!---->r<!---->a

— BCCI (@BCCI) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

One word for the play so far: Engrossing. The beauty of test cricket in England with the dukes ball is that the bowler is always in the game, and there's always a contest between bat and ball. #<!---->L<!---->o<!---->v<!---->e<!---->I<!---->t #<!---->T<!---->e<!---->s<!---->t<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

225 looks around par to me in Southampton … India have done very very well so far in these conditions not to have lost a lot more … #<!---->w<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->t<!---->e<!---->s<!---->t<!---->c<!---->h<!---->a<!---->m<!---->p<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n<!---->s<!---->h<!---->i<!---->p<!---->f<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l … Anyway it’s time for a G & T up north … #<!---->O<!---->n<!---->O<!---->n #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->N<!---->Z

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

WinViz has this game beautifully poised with both teams playing the clock & weather as well as each other. Southee has just bowled a stunning over to Kohli & Rahane – drawing four plays and misses. The Kiwi has dominated his career H2H with Jinks. Gripping stuff. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1 p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->d<!---->0<!---->A<!---->l<!---->N<!---->O<!---->l<!---->2<!---->Y<!---->U

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

That was the first single off Jamieson, in his 12th over. Just four scoring shots in his first 11 overs.

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

India bring up their 100, 3 wickets down. According to our Expected Wickets model, the average side facing this bowling today would have been 139-6. India have scored slower than you'd expect, but it's allowed them to retain their wickets. #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Very disappointed in Nz not playing a spinner in the #<!---->I<!---->C<!---->C<!---->W<!---->o<!---->r<!---->l<!---->d<!---->T<!---->e<!---->s<!---->t<!---->C<!---->h<!---->a<!---->m<!---->p<!---->i<!---->o<!---->n<!---->s<!---->h<!---->i<!---->p as this wicket is going to spin big with huge foot marks developing already. Remember if it seems it will spin. India make anything more than 275/300 ! The match is over unless weather comes in !

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Funny umpiring there with Virat.
No decision given by the umpire and it automatically became a review.
Tuning in to the Women’s test match for the time being , hoping for Harman and Punam to save the Test match.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Virat Kohli now has 7500 runs in Test cricket!
He becomes the 42nd Test batsman and the sixth Indian to reach this landmark.
Both he and Sunil Gavaskar have taken 154 innings to reach the 7500-run mark.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1<!---->f<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Virat Kohli isn't attacking much here. Only 13% of his shots have been attacking strokes, well below the Test average of 24%. What's more, all but one of the balls that've been attacked have been very full. Kohli's being very respectful of anything on a good length. #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->z<!---->1<!---->W<!---->q<!---->3<!---->7<!---->a<!---->h<!---->u<!---->O

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

New Zealand get a review without asking for a review. Weird umpiring there. Make a decision.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1 #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->N<!---->Z

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Umpire should have raised his finger if he wanted to give it out. Just saved a review for New Zealand. Nonsense.

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dude is this viewer's review or what? Na umpire ne decision diya, na new zealand ne DRS liya. Nashe mai ho kya?

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Pujara. Lbw or bowled.

Old times.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/fwildecricket/status/1406227815675092993?s=19

Most matches by an Indian captain in Test cricket:-
61 – VIRAT KOHLI
60 – MS Dhoni
49 – Sourav Ganguly
47 – Mohammad Azharuddin
47 – Sunil Gavaskar

The next time Kohli comes to bat, he will also become the first ever Indian captain to bat in 100 Test innings.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

NZ bowlers initially struggled with their lines but two wickets before lunch is not too bad a session for them . #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Electric first session. NZ bowled full, hunted & found movement, but at their pace India were able to counter this with aggressive footwork, batting out of the crease. NZ’s lines were poor early & India capitalised, but with tighter control came wickets. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Great thing about test cricket. Keep plugging away and the tide turns as it has for New Zealand. Marginally New Zealand's session now

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Between 2011 and 2020, no Indian opening pair lasted 20+ overs in a Test innings outside Asia.

Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have done it three times in five innings this year. (Twice at SCG and Today in Southampton) #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Today was the only 2nd occasions of Indian openers survived 20 overs in England.

? W Jaffer & D Karthik vs Eng 2007
? ? ?????? & ? ???? ?? ?? ????

Wasim Jaffer and Dinesh Karthik survived 42.1 overs in 2007.#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a<!---->V<!---->s<!---->N<!---->e<!---->w<!---->Z<!---->e<!---->a<!---->l<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Partho Das (@Partho_das007) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Kohli putting photographers on work. What a shot!

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

And thus begins the collapse. ?? #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->1

— Sohini M. (@Mittermaniac) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Shubman Gill average interception point v Kyle Jamieson:

Before being hit: 2.3m (from his stumps)

After being hit: 2.3m

No obvious backward step from the young Indian opener.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

#<!---->T<!---->e<!---->a<!---->m<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->i<!---->a openers have got off to a great start here in the final of the #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1.

50-run partnership comes up between @<!---->I<!---->m<!---->R<!---->o<!---->4<!---->5 & @RealShubmanGill ??

Follow the game here – h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->t<!---->S<!---->s<!---->Z<!---->2<!---->p<!---->r<!---->0<!---->x<!---->m p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->V<!---->z<!---->U<!---->9<!---->N<!---->c<!---->K<!---->B<!---->o<!---->q

— BCCI (@BCCI) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rukna tha yaar Rohit!

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Last time India played New Zealand in an ICC event, the 2019 World Cup semi-final, they were 24-4 off 10 overs.

Now – in what look like ideal bowling conditions – they're 37-0 off 10

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

No matter how much he ends up with, @RealShubmanGill will have a special place for this innings, given the occasion and his form leading up to it.. He has done the hard work, couple more hours at least to go.. #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z

— W V Raman (@wvraman) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

A promising start for #<!---->T<!---->E<!---->A<!---->M<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->I<!---->A despite loosing the toss. In England the movement & bounce will remain a constant challenge. Winning the small battles will ensure in winning the war. Good luck guys! #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->I<!---->N<!---->A<!---->L<!---->S?

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

India's average interception point so far has been 2.27m from their stumps.

That's the second furthest down the track India have ever batted against the new ball (since 2006 when records began) in a Test innings.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Boult and Southee have been below their best but the approach of Gill and Rohit has been brilliant. Footwork and judgement on offstump so good so far.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->N<!---->Z #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->1 #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

32% of New Zealand's deliveries so far have been on a good line and length, the lowest figure for any new ball spell on this tour so far. #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Solid start this by India.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l<!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

— Jason Gillespie ? (@dizzy259) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Appears the Kiwis are still bowling to all their lefties in the nets.#<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->2<!---->1

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Rohit-Shubman have countered swing well. They're standing outside the crease to counter swing. Playing close to the body. Good ploy. Interesting to see how India counter Jamieson/Wagner. #<!---->W<!---->T<!---->C<!---->F<!---->i<!---->n<!---->a<!---->l

— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

ICC when finally sun is out today at Southampton. p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->U<!---->R<!---->b<!---->Q<!---->w<!---->j<!---->n<!---->g<!---->k<!---->3

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) J<!---->u<!---->n<!---->e<!----> <!---->1<!---->9<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1