At the end of an enthralling Test, where the game swung back and forth between India and Zealand, we take a look at the combined best team of the WTC Final.

Rohit Sharma

34 & 30

Despite clocking scores in the thirties, there was enough on display from Rohit Sharma to suggest that he was a transformed Test batsman. Seeing off the new ball, Rohit set the platform up for India’s middle-order in both innings and was unlucky to not score bigger.

Devon Conway

54 & 19

Devon Conway’s irresistible start to his Test career resumed as he played another fabulous hand in the WTC final, wading through tough new ball spells to cash in later. The pattern of his dismissals will create discussions for certain, but there’s no doubting that New Zealand have quite a talent on their hands.

Kane Williamson (c)

49 & 52*

In a remarkable display of restraint and composure, Kane Williamson played two exceptional knocks. In the first, he went through one entire session scoring just two runs, and in the second, he stepped up the gear to ease the pressure and help the Black Caps through the line fairly easily.

Virat Kohli

44 & 13

Virat Kohli might still be searching for a hundred, a landmark that has eluded him for quite a while now, but the first innings 44 would slot right into some of his incredible double-digit knocks in this period of drought. Kyle Jamieson got rid of him in either innings, but Kohli, adopting a method that worked well for him in England in 2018, was largely untroubled otherwise.

Ross Taylor

11 & 47*

The experience of Ross Taylor shone through in the second innings as he put the pressure back on Ravichandran Ashwin after the off-spinner had given India a sniff at a win with two early wickets. Taylor remained unbeaten on 47 in the second innings, guiding New Zealand to a historic win alongside skipper Williamson.

Rishabh Pant

4 & 41, 1 stumping

For a brief while, Rishabh Pant evoked memories of the Gabba win as he went about scoring at a quick pace to force the game India’s way in the second innings. From a position where India’s run-rate was below two runs per over, Pant’s impetus ensured the pressure was back on the Kiwis. Ultimately, he lacked the support from the other end, and couldn’t do much, but there was enough evidence in that second innings for England to be really scared of this flamboyant left-hander in the upcoming Test series.

Kyle Jamieson

5-31 & 2-30

The Player of the Match in the finals, Kyle Jamieson tormented India with his height, swing and movement. After the new ball spell from Tim Southee and Trent Boult put India on top in the first innings, Jamieson came through to dismiss Rohit and then added Kohli to tilt the game New Zealand’s way. His sensational accuracy meant India were never quite off the hook when he was bowling.

R Ashwin

2-28 & 2-17

Ashwin silenced his detractors with a terrific display in the Test match where conditions were completely unfriendly for spinners. The off-spinner wasn’t just economical but also gave India a real chance late on day six with the wickets of the two New Zealand openers.

Tim Southee

1-64 & 4-48

After an off spell early on in the game where the Indian openers consolidated the team’s position, Southee returned to make a mark in what can be termed as New Zealand’s greatest Test win. He completed 600 international wickets during the match and played the role of a true attack leader.

Mohammed Shami

4-76 & 0-31

Shami was in a tussle with Mohammed Siraj for a place in India’s final XI, but more than justified his pick with a brilliant spell that turned the game India’s way in the first innings.

Trent Boult

2-47 & 3-39

Trent Boult just about pips Neil Wagner for a place in this XI for picking up the key wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (1st innings), and Rishabh Pant along with Ajinkya Rahane (2nd innings). The left-arm quick wasn’t at his absolute best early on but turned it around quickly to peg India onto the back foot.

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