WTC Final / New Zealand won the toss and opted to bowl first in the WTC Final

Cricket Desk: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl first against India on Day 2 of the final of the inaugural World Test Championship at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. New Zealand have gone with four specialist fast bowlers and another seam-bowling option in all-rounder Colin d Grandhomme. India, on the other hand, have stuck with their playing XI which was announced on Thursday. The first day was washed out due to rain and bad weather.

"We would've probably bowled first as well. But runs on the board has been our strength. In a big final, runs on the board, however many, are an advantage. As you saw the makeup of our side, the balance is such that we prepare for any conditions. We've been performing really well in Test cricket. For us this is just a Test match we have to be professional in, have to follow our processes: India captain Virat Kohli at the toss.

India Playing XI

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

New Zealand Playing XI

Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson(c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling(w), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult

India stick to their playing XI

No changes in the Indian XI that was announced on Thursday. Two spinners and three seamers with Rishabh Pant at no.6

Southampton pitch report

New-ball bowlers will enjoy bowling on it, there is a fair amount of grass on it and of course due to the overcast conditions, it will definitely swing. Seamers are expected to dominate. Try and leave as many deliveries as you can in the first hour if you are an opening batsman, try to be at the non-striker's end: Sunil Gavaskar and Simon Doull with their pitch report.

WTC final Day 2 session timings (IST)

The toss will take place at 2:30 pm and play will be begin at 3:00 pm. And here are the session timings.

Session 1: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Lunch break 40minutes

Session 2: 5:40 pm to 7:55 pm (15 minutes extra)

Tea break 20 minutes

Session 3: 8:15 pm - 10:30 pm (15 minutes extra)

NOTE: Play can be extended for another 30 minutes if the scheduled 98 overs are not bowled by 10:30 pm.