The World Test Championship Final is heading toward a nail-biting conclusion after an intense fifth day of play in Southampton. India entered the second innings on Tuesday with a 32-run lead. While Mohammed Shami put on a clinic with the ball, taking four wickets, New Zealand had already established a vital 32-run cushion by the end of their first innings.
New Zealand managed 249 runs, leaving India at 64/2 by the end of the day's play. The morning belonged to India, as they tore through the top order to take three wickets. The breakthrough came via Shami, who induced a mistake from Ross Taylor, leading to a spectacular diving catch by Gill.
Ishant added to the pressure when Nicholls edged a delivery straight to Rohit Sharma at second slip. Shami then produced a peach of a ball that swung back late, beating BJ Watling's defense and hitting the stumps. In a matter of moments, the Kiwis had lost two key players.
Following the lunch break, Shami used the freshness of the new ball to get Colin De Grandhomme out LBW. Kane Williamson narrowly escaped a wicket when a review overturned a decision after Shami struck his back pad. Shami continued his dominance by claiming Jamieson as his fourth victim, with Bumrah taking the catch at fine-leg.
Eventually, Ishant got the breakthrough he wanted, dismissing Williamson, who played a loose shot and was caught by Kohli in the slips. Ashwin then contributed his second wicket by cleaning up Wagner for a duck, and Jadeja wrapped things up by removing Southee. It was a balanced session where neither side truly dominated.
With three full sessions remaining on the reserve day, the game is wide open, leaving the possibility of either a definitive result or a hard-fought draw.