Southampton, Jun 23 (Agency) New Zealand thrashed India by 8 wickets on the sixth and final day of the marquee final to lift the inaugural World Test Championship title, here on Wednesday. This is the first major ICC trophy for the Black Caps, who had ended runners-up at the 2019 ODI World and the 2015 ODI World Cup as well. Chasing a target of 139 runs, skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor put on a solid partnership and remained unbeaten for 52 and 47 respectively to guide New Zealand home.
Ravichandran Ashwin gave India a glimmer of hope by sending back both the New Zealand openers Tom Latham (9) and Devon Conway (19) but it was not enough. Resuming the day at 64 for 2, India could add only 106 runs to their overnight score and were bowled out for just 170. Rishabh Pant was top-scorer for them with his 41-run knock. Brief Scores: India: 217 and 170 all out in 73 overs. (Rishabh Pant 41, Rohit Sharma 30; Tim Southee 4/48, Trent Boult 3/39, Kyle Jamieson 2/30). New Zealand: 249 and 140 for 2 in 45.5 overs. (K Williamson 52 not out, R Taylor 47 not out; R Ashwin 2/17).