Ahead of the ongoing fourth BGT and the first Test between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, a spot for the final in Test Championship was open. As Australia won the Indore Test, they qualified for the title clash. With this, India needed to win at all costs in the ongoing game. On the other hand, the Lankan Lions needed to win 2-0 against Kiwis in the two-match Test series.
With both games starting on the same day, the Indian and Sri Lankan fans showed interest in both games simultaneously. Meanwhile, in the SL v NZ game, the home team, Blackcaps elected to field first. However, the visitors amassed a competitive 355 all-out, thanks to half-centuries from skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Mendis and valuable contributions from others.
In reply, the Tim Southee-led side lost six wickets for just 188 runs. At this stage, the team needed someone to step up to take the team close. A hundred from Daryl Mitchell and a half-century from Matt Henry helped the team reach 373 runs, taking a lead of 18 runs. In the second innings, the Lankan Lions amassed 302 runs with former skipper Angelo Matthews scoring 115 runs.
With a target of 285 to chase, the home team had a poor start as they lost three wickets for 90. Also, they were racing against time as the first session of the last day was lost due to rain. However, thanks to Kane Williamson (121*) and Daryl Mitchell (81), the team reached the target with the former scoring the winning run on the last ball of the game.
India has qualified for the final of Test Championship 2023
Meanwhile, with NZ’s win, the Rohit Sharma-led side has qualified for the Test Championship final. After the result, the Indian players were seen congratulating each other ahead of the ongoing second session of Day Five. In the fourth game between India and Australia, the game is heading towards a tame draw with Australia leading by 29 runs and losing only one wicket.
This is how Twitter reacted
India make the WTC Finals!
But, what a Test finish it has been in Christchurch- photo finish as they say! New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test was the stuff legends are made of #NZvsSL #IndvsAus— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) March 13, 2023
Last ball of the second last over, no foam pads at that spot on the boundary. My Lord! Oscar winners couldn’t script this drama ?#NZvsSL
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 13, 2023
Great Test match #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/0hdhty5CAs
— Rashid Latif | ?? (@iRashidLatif68) March 13, 2023
This is how a test match goes when your board is not rich enough and fair game happening. #NZvsSL
— ? (@firki07) March 13, 2023
What a Test match.
Test cricket ?? #NZvsSL
— Jigar Mehta (@jigsactin) March 13, 2023
Kane Williamson has done it ?
Last ball victory for NZ..
India to WTC Final??#INDvsAUS #NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/bcC09hNyK3— DileepDill ???? ¹? (@danameisDileep) March 13, 2023
How cool is #KaneWilliamson under pressure! How cool is Test cricket!
Man what a thriller! ??#NZvsSL
— Tanay Tiwari (@Tanay_Tiwari) March 13, 2023
Indians watching the New Zealand Vs Sri Lanka test match ??#NZvsSL #INDvsAUS #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/6UFLD3caiW
— Vivek._.M (@Viv666viV) March 13, 2023
That's how it happened to Srilanka.#NZvsSL pic.twitter.com/rqr1BxgRrL
— Ehtisham Siddique (@iMShami_) March 13, 2023
#NZvsSL Congratulations India. The former Champions have done it for us #wtcfinal #WTC2023 #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/gZvgDO3JH7
— Anubhav shahi ?????????? (@Anubhavshahi48) March 13, 2023
