India v New Zealand, 3rd Test – Statistical Highlights

Team India completed a whitewash against New Zealand with a huge 321-run win in the final Test at the Holkar Stadium, Indore. India declared their innings on the 4th day at 216/3 after Cheteshwar Pujara completed his long awaited ton and put a 475-run target for the Kiwis.

The visitors could only last 44.5 overs and were bowled out on the 4th day itself. Ravi Ashwin won himself another more man of the series award with a 13-wicket match haul. Here we look at all the stats and records recorded during the game.

1.85 – Average at which Ravi Ashwin picks a 5-wicket haul. This is the best rate for any Indian bowler and 5th best for any bowler with at least 10 five-wicket hauls.

2 – Ravi Ashwin became the 2nd Indian to take two 10-wicket match hauls in a Test series. Harbhajan Singh did it against Australia at home in 2001 which was also a 3-match series.

Also check out- Virender Sehwag tries to pull Ravi Ashwin’s leg after Team India’s win in the 3rd Test

4 – This is the 4th three or more match Test series in India that witnessed a clean sweep. Three of them were 3-match series.

5 – Number of times Ravi Ashwin has dismissed Kane Williamson in Tests, joint most time by any bowler. Pragyan Ojha also dismissed Williamson on 5 occasions.

6 – Number of 10-wicket match hauls Ravi Ashwin has taken in Test cricket, 2nd most for an Indian after Anil Kumble (8).

7 – Number of man of the series awards Ravi Ashwin has in Test cricket, the most for any Indian. Only 7 other players have 7 or more series awards in this format.

7 – Test matches taken by Ravi Ashwin at an average to pick up a 10-wicket match haul. This is the best rate for any Indian bowler who has at least one 10-wicket match haul.

7 – Ashwin grabbing 3 five-fors in this series is the 7th instance of an Indian bowler taking 4 five-fors in a 3 or lesser Test match series. In fact, this is the 2nd time Ashwin has done it and in both the instance, the opposition was New Zealand.

13/140 – Ashwin’s figures of 13/140 are his best bowling figures in a Test match. In fact, this is the first time he has taken 13 wickets in a Test. Last time an Indian took 13 wickets in a Test was Anil Kumble at Chennai in 2004 against Australia.

14.83 – Ross Taylor’s batting average in this series is the 2nd lowest for NZ’s no.4 batsman in a 3-match Test series. Previous lowest was 11.83 by M Sinclair against England in 2008.

21 – Number of 5-wicket hauls Ravi Ashwin has taken in Test cricket. At end of career’s 39th Test, only 2 players have taken more 5-wicket hauls than Ashwin.

Also read- India v New Zealand Test Series – India Player Ratings

27 – Wickets taken by Ravi Ashwin in this series, 2nd most by an Indian bowler in a 3-match Test series. Harbhajan Singh picked 32 wickets vs Australia at home in 2001.

31.4 – Ashwin’s bowling strike rate in Tests against New Zealand is 31.4, the 3rd best for any bowler against a single opposition. (Min: 40 wickets)

33 – Number of lbw dismissals in this Test series, joint 2nd most in a 3-match Test series. Pakistan-England series in UAE in 2012 had 43 lbw dismissals.

33.75 – Kane Williamson’s batting average in this series is his lowest in last 3 years. He featured in 13 Test series including this series since October 2013.

39 – Matches taken for 7 man of the series awards in Test cricket by Ashwin. No player has bagged his 7th series award in less than 70 Tests. Next best is by Imran Khan in 70 matches.

66.34 – Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting average in Tests his team has won. This is the best for any Indian with 1500 runs in Tests.

220 – Number of wickets Ravi Ashwin has taken in Test cricket, the most for any bowler at end of career’s 39th Test. Clarrie Grimmett had 216 wickets in the 37 Tests he played.

292 – Bowling strike rate of pacers in this Test. Pacers have bowled 146 overs but picked just 3 wickets. This is the 3rd worst strike rate for pacers in a Test in which they bowled 140+ overs.

321 – India’s winning margin in this Test is their 2nd biggest margin in terms of runs in this format. Their highest is a 339-run win against South Africa at Delhi last year.

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

414 – Number of wickets Ravi Ashwin has taken in International Cricket. Since his debut, no player has taken as many wickets.

2007 – Last time before Ashwin, a bowler picked up two 10-wicket match hauls in a Test series was Dale Steyn in 2007 at home also against New Zealand.