SOUTHAMPTON: Big things don’t come easy, said India coach Ravi Shastri on Thursday as he acknowledged that New Zealand were the better team in the World Test Championship final that his side lost after an especially poor batting performance.
New Zealand won the game by eight wickets to deny another major title to Virat Kohli’s team.
India are yet to win an ICC title under Kohli.
Read AlsoWTC Final: Best Test team should be decided over at least three games, says Virat KohliEchoing the views of head coach Ravi Shastri, India skipper Virat Kohli has said that the best Test team in the world should be decided by a best-of-three final and not a one-off game like it was in the inaugural edition.India were bowled out for 217 and 170 during the WTC final, a decidedly below-par performance by the much-vaunted line-up.
“Better team won in the conditions.
Deserved winners after the longest wait for a World Title.
Classic example of Big things don’t come easy.
Well played, New Zealand.
Respect,” wrote Shastri on Twitter a day after the final.
Better team won in the conditions.
Deserved winners after the longest wait for a World Title.
Classic example of Bi… https://t.co/yAHZCXn42i— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) 1624531089000Prior to Wednesday, New Zealand’s only ICC title came way back in 2000.
Read AlsoWTC Final, India vs New Zealand: ‘Need to bring in right people with right mindset’- Virat Kohli hints at overhaul of Test sideIndia captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday indicated that he may bring in “right people with right mindset to perform” in the Test side just like their white ball set-up, where they have multiple players ready to shoulder responsibility at the highest level.More recently, they suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the 2019 World Cup final.
The Kiwis also made the ODI World Cup final in 2015.
Read AlsoRavichandran Ashwin ends WTC 2019-21 cycle as leading wicket-takerThe 34-year-old off-spinner achieved the feat during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, which was his 14th Test in this cycle of WTC.
His 71st victim was New Zealand opener Devon Conway.Before the marquee game, Shastri had suggested a best of three final for the coming editions of the WTC, saying a one off game is just not enough to evaluate a team’s credentials.
His views were echoed by Kohli on Wednesday.
Read AlsoIndia vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli defends team combination after WTC final defeatSkipper Virat Kohli defended India’s bowling combination for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, saying going in with a four-pronged pace attack was possible only with a fast-bowling all-rounder.
New Zealand beat India by eight wickets.The Indian skipper said this one defeat will not define his team’s hard work of the past two years, including a remarkable away triumph over Australia despite an injury-ravaged squad.