ICC World Test Championship Final 2021

Tournament Overview

Series Overview

The 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final was the culmination of the inaugural WTC cycle (2019-21), played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton in June 2021. New Zealand, under Kane Williamson's leadership, and India, led by Virat Kohli, were the two sides who had accumulated the most points across the two-year cycle of bilateral Test series. The match was affected by rain and a reserve day was used to ensure a result. India batted first and were bowled out for 217, with Kyle Jamieson's 5/31 dismantling their batting lineup with relentless accuracy. New Zealand replied with 249, taking a crucial 32-run first-innings lead. India's second innings of 170 left New Zealand needing 139 to win — a target they chased down comfortably, losing only 2 wickets. Devon Conway and Ross Taylor provided composed contributions to guide New Zealand to an 8-wicket victory. For New Zealand, the WTC title represented the peak of a decade-long era of consistent Test excellence under Kane Williamson, who had built one of the most disciplined and professional Test teams in the world. Kyle Jamieson, who had taken 7 wickets in the match, was the undisputed player of the final.

Key Highlights

• 1New Zealand won the inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, becoming the first-ever WTC champions
• 2Kyle Jamieson took 5/31 in India's first innings — an extraordinary display of swing and seam bowling
• 3India were bowled out for 217 and 170; New Zealand's 249/10 in their first innings gave them a decisive lead
• 4Ross Taylor and Devon Conway anchored New Zealand's winning chase of 139, reaching the target for the loss of 2 wickets
• 5The match was played over six days including a reserve day — the first Test Final to use a reserve day

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