Highlights:
- India closed 2nd innings at 276/7 while the Kiwis dragged 140 for five at stumps chasing a target of 540.
- Mumbai-born left-arm spinner of New Zealand, Ajaz Patel achieves a commendable feat with his 10 wicket haul in the 1st innings of India’s second essay.
- 4th day of the Test witnesses India crushing New Zealand and winning with 372 runs
- Indian spin duo of Jayant Yadav and R Ashwin plucked 5 wickets bowling out the Black Caps at 167 and leading the hosts to clinch the series 1-0
New Zealand declared day 3 at 140/5 in the pursuit of chasing an improbable target of 540 runs as India ended their second innings at 276 for seven at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. All-rounder, Daryl Mitchell as yet has been the best scorer for the black caps with his 60-runs off 92 balls and totalled 73 crucial runs during the fourth wicket in partnership with Henry Nicholls (36 not out). All-rounder Axar Patel took Mitchell’s wicket at 60 after smashing 52 in the 1st and 41 in the 2nd innings, including 4 walloping sixes and 3 boundaries.
India closed their 2nd innings at 276/7. Right-handed top-order batsman Mayank Agarwal racked up a century in the first and was top-scorer with 62 runs ahead of breaking the mighty Nicholl-Mitchell partnership. Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubhman Gill scored 47 each.
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The left-arm spinner, Ajaz Patel, registered a massive record and became the talk of the town with his 10 wicket haul in the first innings of the 2nd Test. This tremendous feat landed him in the elite list comprising ex England spinner, Jim Laker and former Indian Captain and coach, Anil Kumble.
In addition to 10 wickets in the first, Ajaz claimed 4 wickets in the 2nd innings taking the tally to 14 which is, by far, the most any bowler has picked against India in a Test match. Ravichandran Ashwin, with his angular delivery, took charge and dismissed skipper Tom Latham. He claimed the wickets of Will Young (dismissed at 20) and tail-end batsman, Ross Taylor.
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Ashwin literally fiddled with left-handed Henry Nicholls in one over when he could ascertain if the ball would be a classic off-break, would straighten or approach with an angle.
Certain issues on Team India’s front demand the swift attention of coach Dravid. Despite an effortless victory, the dwindling middle-order is a concern for the upcoming South African series. Right-handed batsman Ajinkya Rahane was ineffective in the first test and had to be released from the team on account of hamstring quibble.
Skipper and former T20 captain, Virat Kohli whose avoidance of follow-on was targeted at getting some extra batting time also seemed underconfident during a bumpy inning of 36 off 84. The Black Cap Bowlers, with a demolished confidence, staggered to concede 25 boundaries and 11 sixes in 70 overs of the 2nd innings. In point of fact, all Indian batsmen excluding Wriddhiman Saha smashed at least one six.
Pujara fared well during his 47 and Mayank Agarwal (62 off 108) scored a half-century to add to his 1st inning score of 150. The Pujara-Mayank duo totalled 107 runs for the opening stand exacerbating the problem for the Kiwis. This was augmented by Virat and Shubhman (47) who added another 82.
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Besides hitting a six off opposition’s Will Sommerville, Virat’s play seemed dubious for the better part of his 84 balls ahead of facing Rachin Ravindra’s left-arm spin. Mayank looked confident in the 2nd innings but in an endeavour to smash a six off Patel got dismissed by Will Young.
Right-arm off-break bowler, Jayant Yadav claimed 4 wickets early on day 4 of the 2nd innings. Ashwin on the other hand dismissed Henry Nicholls and contributed to India’s mammoth 324 win against New Zealand.
The four wickets plucked by Jayant Yadav were of Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee and William Somerville. Efforts by the Yadav-Ashwin spin duo bowled out New Zealand on 167 and helped India win the two-match series 1-0.
Nicholl’s removal added to Ravichandran Ashwin’s feat of taking the 300th wicket in a test at home and became the 2nd fastest bowler to do so after Anil Kumble.