Tim Southee dismissed openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as India lead New Zealand by 32 runs at the end of the fifth day’s play in the World Test Championship final on Tuesday. 

Gill was the first to depart, misjudging the movement of an inswinger from Southee as he was trapped lbw. Rohit was dismissed in similar fashion, trapped lbw after attempting to leave a ball that nipped back in. 

With two days having been washed out, the match will go into the reserve day on Wednesday. The WTC title will be shared by both teams in case there is no result tomorrow. 

Earlier, a gritty innings from Kane
Williamson and a late flourish from Tim Southee helped New Zealand edge ahead of India‘s first innings score at Tea. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets as the Kiwis were bundled out for 249, leading India by 32 runs. 

Williamson played 177 deliveries for
49 runs and was denied his 33rd Test fifty after edging a length delivery from Ishant Sharma straight to his counterpart Kohli in the slips. He was the last recognised batsman to depart, with Southee scoring a quick-fire 30 at the death to help extend the lead. 

Shami pulled India back into the contest with four wickets, dismissing Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson. Ishant Sharma took three wickets with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja also adding to their tallies. 

Day 1 and Day 4 of the match were washed out. On Day 2, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first. India, by the end of the day’s play, finished with 146-3 on the board.

On Day 3, India were bundled out for 217 in 92.1 overs. Ajinkya Rahane top-scored with 49, but it was pacer Kyle Jamieson who stood out with a bowling figure of 5-31 in 22 overs.

The New Zealand openers started brightly in their first innings, scoring 70 for the opening wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin opened the account for India in the 35th over to dismiss Tom Latham, who was caught at the cover region by Virat Kohli after scoring 30.

Devon Conway scored 54 runs before getting dismissed, as he flicked an Ishant Sharma delivery straight to Mohammed Shami at mid-on in the last over of the third day.