An incredibly tight game saw the Black Caps bowl out India for 170 in the second innings, leaving them 139 to chase for victory at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.
Kapil Dev famously became the first Indian captain to lift the Cricket World Cup 38 years ago. Their route to the final saw them comfortably make it through Group B with four wins from six, before seeing off hosts England at Old Trafford in the semi-final.
It can be safely assumed that some of the seniors will be on borrowed time and only a stellar performance in the five-Test series against England in August can secure their futures.
New Zealand showed more intent on keeping the scoreboard ticking with Kyle Jamieson (21) and Tim Southee (30) throwing their bats around for useful runs.
Rain is not forecast for the remaining two days of the big final but it is likely to remain overcast as it has been the case so far when play did take place.
"If we win, cricket will not stop and if we lose also, cricket won't stop. We are playing in quest of excellence and understand who we are as a team," the eloquent Indian captain added.
Unlike the men's squad, which played intra-squad games in Southampton ahead of the WTC final, the women prepared only in the nets which might hurt them in the four-day game.
Holding, who is a passionate advocate for equality in cricket and the wider community, feels the gesture is akin to saying "all lives matter" rather than supporting Black Lives Matter movement.
