Xtra Time Web Desk: Fast pacer Mohammed Shami was at his best as India restricted New Zealand to 249 runs in the first innings, which meant the BlackCaps have taken a slender 32 runs lead on Day 5 of the ICC World Test Championship Final. Shami was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he returned with figures of 4/76. BlackCaps skipper Kane Williamson led from the front, scoring a brilliant 49(177). Fast bowlers Kyle Jamieson (21 off 16) and Tim Southee (30 off 46) made useful contributions towards the end. Ishant Sharma picked 3 wickets for 48 runs while spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (2/28) and Ravindra Jadeja (1/20) picked the other wickets.
Earlier, there was a delay in the start of fifth day’s play as well due to some light drizzles. New Zealand resumed on 101-2 with Kane Williamson (12*) and Ross Taylor (0*) the overnight batsmen. Indian captain Virat Kohli started the bowling with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. It was Shami who gave India the first breakthrough as he induced Taylor to play a lofted drive and Shubman Gill took a brilliant catch at short covers. Ishant Sharma coming in first change struck in his first over as Henry Nicholls edged him. Rohit Sharma took an excellent diving catch at second slip. Shami, who was bowling with great control castled BJ Watling for a duck as BlackCaps were reduced to 135/5 at Lunch.
The seamer returned after the lunch break to account for the wickets of Colin de Grandhomme and Jamieson. Shami bowled a well directed short ball to Jamieson. He tried to hook it only to be caught by Bumrah at the square leg boundary.
Ishant Sharma ended the New Zealand skipper’s five-hour vigil, inducing him into feebly poking at a delivery and Kohli grabbed the edge standing wide at gully. Williamson scored 49 runs off 177 balls.
Neil Wagner gave a sharp catch to Ajinkya Rahane at slips off Ashwin without troubling the scorers. Tim Southee played a long handle, playing some attacking strokes. He pulled Ravindra Jadeja for a six but was bowled immediately the next ball.
New Zealand were bowled out for 249 runs off 99.2 overs.