New Zealand are ICC World Test Champions after beating India inside the final hour of a nail-biting reserve day at the Hampshire Bowl, wrapping up an eight-wicket win with a boundary from Ross Taylor.
Kane Williamson and Taylor calmed New Zealand nerves during a chase of 139 from 53 overs – a target that was just testing enough to give India a chance, particularly after Ravichandran Ashwin had dismissed both openers in a dangerous spell after tea.
But Williamson (52*) and Taylor (47*) bided their time and built a match-winning partnership of 96, with Taylor hitting the winning runs to ensure that New Zealand win the first-ever World Test Championship mace.
India began the sixth day 32 runs ahead, on 64/2, with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara at the crease, and with all results still possible.
New Zealand knew that they needed a fair helping of wickets in the morning session, and Kyle Jamieson got them off to a superb start, tempting Kohli into a nibble that BJ Watling, playing in his final ever Test, gratefully grabbed behind the stumps.
And the big Kiwi bowler struck again in his very next over, luring a rare waft out of Pujara to get the edge, with Ross Taylor taking a good catch in the cordon.