India v New Zealand, 3rd Test – 5 Talking Points

A stellar bowling display from Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed his career best figures of 13/140, saw India beat the visitors by 321 runs and register a 3-0 clean sweep. After snapping 6/81 in the first innings, Ashwin yet again dominated the visitors and claimed 7/59 to help India bowl out the opposition in just one session. Chasing a howering target of 475 runs to win, new Zealand were bowled for just 153 runs.

Earlier, India began the day on a solid note with after Gambhir hitting a fluent fifty and Chesteshwar Pujara cracking a counter-attacking century to help India set a 475 run target for the Kiwis to chase. The target was impossible  and a win was almost sure. But, the question was can India wrap up the game before the end of the day. But, all these doubts were put to rest once Ashwin began snapping wicket in clumps making victory look just like a formality.

1.Gambhir’s entertaining start to the day:

Gautam Gambhir, who was retired hurt after playing only for three overs on day three, returned with full zest and hit an entertaining half century. Gambhir, despite picking up a shoulder injury while fielding came out yesterday but, unfortunately, has to return to the pavilion retired hurt over after hurting his arm while diving.

There was pain visible on his face and the physio rushed in and took him off the field as the injury looked bad. The left-hander looked fully refreshed and gave an entertaining start to the play in the morning session. His attacking approach saw him quickly race to the fifty runs mark. Unfortunately, he could not sustain for long and was picked by Jeetan Patel just after reaching his fifty. He departed with exact 50 runs against his name. His 56 balls knock was laced with 65 boundaries.

2. Cheteshwar Pujara slams ton:

Cheteshwar Pujara made the Kiwis dance to his tunes earlier in the day before India declared on 216/3 and setting a towering 475 run target. The calm right-hander showed his ability to shift gears through innings as he raced to his century in 149 balls after taking 96 balls to complete his fifty. Pujara’s batting tactics helped India quickly add runs to the scoreboard and stretch their target.

He initially restricted himself to playing defensively while enjoying Gambhir punishing the New Zealand bowlers. But, post lunch, Pujara began attacking flamboyantly keeping in mind the importance setting a huge target and bowling out the opposition on day 4 itself. Kohli waited patiently for Pujara to complete his century and quickly declared the innings as soon as the Saurashtra batsman completed the milestone.

3. Kane Williamson becomes Ashwin’s bunny:

Kane Williamson’s struggle to counter Ravi Ashwin extended by one more innings after the New Zealand skipper lost his wicket yet again to the off-spinner. Ashwin had already dismissed Kane each time in the last three innings. The ace spinner has now dismissed the Kiwi skipper for five times overall after having already picked him up the last time when India met New Zealand at Bangalore in 2014.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin heaping wickets in abundance:

Ravichandran Ashwin was yet again in a scorching form and completely rattled the New Zealanders to help India win the Test in just one session. India declared just 8 overs before the tea break and invited New Zealand to chase an improbable 475 runs target. The crowd was hoping eagerly to see India bowl out the opposition today itself and Ravichandran Ashwin made sure their prayers didn’t go unanswered.

The off-spinner, who looks invincible at the moment, snapped his career best figures of 7/59 to help India clean up Black Caps for just 153 runs. He bowled like a menace. He gave no opportunity to the opposition to settle down and claimed wickets in heaps. Ashwin had already claimed 6/81 in the first innings his impeccable bowling in the second inning took his overall match tally to 13/140.

5.Virat Kohli receives the test mace:

Indian skipper Virat Kohli was handed over the Test mace by Sunil Gavaskar on behalf of the ICC to make India the official No,1 ranked Test team in the world. India had already claimed the top spot after winning the first Test at Kanpur and were officially declared the top team by the ICC in the rankings update. however, the Test mace is handed over to the skipper of the team only after the end of a particular series.

The Indian skipper is beaming with pride. “It is heavy. Feels lovely though. Trust me I have got a few MoM awards but holding this is a special thing. Last time the team got it I was watching from home and now I’m holding this as captain. Very proud of the boys. We’re working very hard on the areas that need improvement. Will always try to improve as a side and give the people what they want to see,” he said in the post match ceremony.

India is expected to sit at the top and solidify its position with a lengthy home season beckoning them. Their next test series will be against England next month.