WTC final, Day 5 in pics: Shami brings India back in fight

With a full day's play expected, India would like to bat at least a session and half to put themselves in safe position before giving New Zealand 50 odd overs and 200 plus target if they want to enforce a result.

Updated: June 23, 2021 10:15 IST

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In hindsight, Williamson's defensive approach did put pressure on the other batters as they tried to up the ante in the final session.India's Shubman Gill takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Ross Taylor off the bowling of India's Mohammad Shami. (Reuters)

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The 32-run lead that they got was largely due to efforts of Kyle Jamieson (21) and Tim Southee (30), who threw their bats around to put the pressure back on India, going into the final session of the day. (Photo: New Zealand's Kane Williamson walks after losing his wicket/ Reuters)

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Ajinkya Madhukar Rahane takes a catch to dismiss New Zealand's Neil Wagner. (Reuters/John Sibley)

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The fifth day's play certainly belonged to the most talented Indian swing bowler in contemporary times --Shami. His artistry was on full display as he singlehandedly brought India back in the match during the first session at a time when New Zealand had control over the proceedings. (AP/PTI)

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With a full day's play expected, India would like to bat at least a session and half to put themselves in safe position before giving New Zealand 50 odd overs and 200 plus target if they want to enforce a result. (AP/PTI)

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If Shami brought India back with four-wicket haul that helped the side dismiss New Zealand for 249, Rohit Sharma (30) after all the hardwork, made an error in judgement trying to leave a Tim Southee (2/17) in-dipper which trapped him plumb in-front. (AP/PTI)

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New Zealand's Tim Southee celebrates taking the wicket of India's Shubman Gill .(Reuters/John Sibley)

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With Shubman Gill (8) also back in the hut, India finished the fifth day at 64 for 2 with a lead of 32 runs, having erased a 32-run deficit. (AP/PTI)

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New Zealand certainly go into the final day as favourites to lift the WTC mace, courtesy Southee's late evening spell. (Reuters)

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A draw looks more of a practical possibility due to all the time that has been lost due to inclement weather but a superb batting effort from skipper Virat Kohli (8 batting) and Cheteshwar Pujara (12 batting) or an inexplicable batting collapse like Adelaide could certainly make things interesting during the business end of the marquee clash. (AP/PTI)