The ongoing World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton is headed for a ripping finish as the sixth day got underway. While a couple of full days have resulted in a washout, the four days of cricket has been a riveting one as both teams have fought tooth and nail to claim the ultimate prize in Test cricket. On the other hand, with Kiwi keeper-batsman BJ Watling playing his final Test, Indian captain Virat Kohli was quick to congratulate him on the occasion as he walked out to bat.
BJ Watling had announced before the two-match Test series in England he would retire from international cricket after the ICC World Test Championship final. The 35-year old will retire as one of the best keeper-batsman of the current era and the greatest for New Zealand. Watling decided to quit international cricket to spend more time with his family.
The South African born has played 74 Tests so far and scored 3789 runs at 37.89, with eight Test hundreds. Watling expressed his desire to end the England tour on a high and will hope to bring the World Test Championship for New Zealand after beating England. Indian captain Virat Kohli showed his warmth towards the veteran as he congratulated him before the play started on the sixth day.
Virat Kohli ? BJ Watling
A nice gesture from the Indian skipper congratulating the @BLACKCAPS wicket-keeper on the final day of his international career ?#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | #SpiritOfCricket pic.twitter.com/zcI47UFPAp
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
BJ Watling plays a part in Virat Kohli’s dismissal:
Meanwhile, BJ Watling might have departed for a single-figure score in the first innings of the WTC final; however, he played a part in the Indian captain’s departure. Watling took a simple catch to get rid of Virat Kohli in the fifth over of the day off Kyle Jamieson’s bowling. It gave the Kiwis a massive upper hand early in the day from where they would hope to dictate the terms.
Also Read: WTC Final 2021: Aakash Chopra Predicts Shubman Gill Will Move Down The Order In Future