WTC Final: India thanks Kane Williamson for firing Rohit Sharma's men in World Test Championship final

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Kane Williamson is being thanked and praised by fans all over India for firing into the final of World Test Championship (WTC) final. The former New Zealand captain scored 121 unbeaten runs off 194 balls as New Zealand won a last-ball thriller against Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Monday.

The defeat officially ruled out Sri Lanka from the WTC final race. Notably, India and Sri Lanka were the two teams competing to book a WTC final clash against Australia who qualified for the mega event after winning the third Test against India in Indore. The qualification scenario was such that India had either beat Australia in the ongoing fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy or hope New Zealand to win one of the two Test matches of their home series against Sri Lanka.

On a flat Ahmedabad track, Australia won the toss and piled up 480 runs in 167.2 overs. Later, India batted for close to 180 overs to post 571 runs on the board. Quite naturally the match which is now in the final session of Day 5 is heading towards a high-scoring draw.

However, the good news for India came while the players were having lunch here in Ahmedabad. 12,524 kms away, New Zealand chased down a 285-run target on the final ball of the Test match. Yes, you heard it right - ON The Final ball of Day 5.

WTC Final: Williamson spoil Sri Lanka's party

Five runs with two wickets in hand were needed of the last three deliveries when Williamson scored a boundary. Sri pacer Asitha Fernando then bowled a dot ball. With one needed off one ball, Fernando bowled another bouncer as the right-hander failed to connect the wood while attempting a pull. But regardless he sprinted for a single and completed it by a barest margin. Sri Lanka Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella had three stumps to target but he missed as Neil Wagner dived inside the crease. Fernando then got hold of the ball and fired it towards the non-striker when Williamson also dived to drag his bat just on time inside the crease before the direct hit rattled the stumps. Umpires sent the decision upstairs to check for a runout and that made the entire episode even more thrilling. The thrilled commentator erupted saying, "Oh, he is home, he is safe. The desperate dive gets New Zealand home in a drama!"

Fans in India erupted with joy and could not thank Williamson much for scoring a brisk 28th Test hundred on rain-marred Day 5 and helping India qualify for the WTC final. Check out a few reactions.