‘Tu to devmanus nikla re’- Fans react as New Zealand’s thrilling win in Test against Sri Lanka helps India qualify for Test Championship Final

Star Kiwi batter Kane Williamson hammered his 28th Test century to help New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by two wickets in a thrilling last-ball finish in Christchurch. Sri Lanka’s hopes of reaching the finals of the Test Championship were also quashed by this defeat.

On the final day of the game, New Zealand resumed their innings from 28/1, needing 257 more runs to win the game. The hosts got off to a quick start, with opener Tom Latham and former captain Kane Williamson at the crease. Latham started quickly but failed to convert it into a big score, as spinner Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed him for 25 to take up Sri Lanka’s first wicket of the day.

Jayasuriya shined with the ball for the visitors as he clinched another wicket in the very first hour to restrict Kiwis. He dismissed dangerous Henry Nicholas for just 20 runs. Although Williamson kept one end with him and held it till the end. He was well supported by Daryl Mitchell, who scored 81 runs off 86 balls.

Williamson, along with Mitchell, added 142 runs for the fourth wicket and paved the way for their victory. Denting their easy win hopes, Asitha Fernando picked up two wickets in two overs to peg the Kiwis back. He dismissed Mitchell and Tom Blundell in consecutive overs and let Kiwi fight more.

Last ball thrill gave Kiwi’s 1-0 lead

New Zealand needed 15 runs in the remaining two overs to win the match in a nail-biting finish. Sri Lanka bowled efficiently to pick up wickets and push the game to the last ball. Kiwis needed 8 runs in the last over with Williamson being in the middle. However, after a dramatic run out on the third ball and a boundary on the next delivery, New Zealand needed 1 run in 2 balls to win the game.

Williamson missed a bouncer on the fifth ball of the over and the game moved to the last ball. Once again, Williamson failed to hit the short ball but he ran for a single. When Williamson dove in to complete the single, Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella made a direct throw to the non-end. Following several replays, it was determined that Williamson had just gotten it across the line, giving the Kiwis a narrow victory. However, his determination also helped India to make it into the finals of the Test Championship. They will face Australia in the Kingston Oval on June 7.

Meanwhile, fans react to Kiwis’ victory and India’s qualification to the Test Championship. A Twitter user said, “Tu to devmanush nikla re.”

Here are some Tweets:

I watched last 10 overs and i can't believe what I witnessed, on of the bes test match in history of cricket

— 75……. (@VK_254) March 13, 2023

Kane williamson is an absolute champion, what a knock, yes yes we are into WTC finals, come on india, give us another gabba at oval.

— Saul (@Divyans05789599) March 13, 2023

A dive always makes the result different

— Ashutosh Nayak (@ash32__) March 13, 2023

Tbh, it was an easy hit for the Keeper, not all can hit the stumps at the last ball#Dhoni pic.twitter.com/J44qByuoHz

— ABDul Sohail (@abdul_sohail24) March 13, 2023

Williamson helping India for WTC final, Rohit era

— Abhilash (@Abhilas17622660) March 13, 2023

Meanwhile Williamson to Every Indians as he helped India to qualify for WTC finals pic.twitter.com/Rlix2Qj0hn

— ً (@SarcasticCowboy) March 13, 2023

Le Indians to Kiwis – pic.twitter.com/gXG9DQlcn6

— RKD Fanclub (@RkdFanclub) March 13, 2023

Video 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0N2IxrAJlt

— आदेश तरे (@AdeshTare) March 13, 2023

History – India has become the first team to reach the WTC finals in twice times.

— Suyog D (@SuyogD79) March 13, 2023

Phew…. Why cant they win or lose easily.. why make everything interesting.

— Aditya (@aditya10on9) March 13, 2023

Huge difference between Kane and Kohli's innings!

Huge respect for Kane!

— Ankush (@Ankush369963) March 13, 2023

World class test batsman. Well done Kane 👏👏👏👏.
He is a real hero of test cricket

— Captain America (@Bodaharish2) March 13, 2023