Jasprit Bumrah uproots Tom Blundell's off stump with a vicious inswinger on Day 3

The writing was always on the wall and on Monday, it only translated into reality as the Kane Williamson-led New Zealanders completed the proceedings to end India’s misery and not claim a morale-boosting 2-0 series whitewash over the ‘No.1 ranked’ Test side in the world but also grab 120 ICC Test Championship points.

Reeling at 6-90 with an overall lead of 97, India needed a bit of magic from Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja if they wanted to have any sort of chance to seek parity in the two-match Test series. But the Men in Blue couldn’t have the worst possible start after they lost Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant within the first four overs.

India could only manage all of 34 runs on the fourth-morning and was bundled out for 124 to give the Kiwis a total of 132 to seal the deal. India needed quick wickets and while they did not get them, they inflicted late strokes courtesy their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who gave enough indications throughout the Test match that he is gradually getting back to his best.

Bumrah gave another indication of it on the third day when he flattened Tom Blundell’s stumps with a brutal inswinger when the ball proceeded to jag in viciously, uprooting the openers off-stump.

Here’s the dismissal:

Jasprit Bumrah slowly getting back to his best?

There may have been a doubt about the first dismissal thanks to the fine margins with Bumrah over-stepping the line but the second wicket of Kane Williamson didn’t have any such contention. Bumrah finished with five wickets across two innings, giving his fans and the team-management some sort of relief on what was otherwise a forgettable series.

Earlier, Bumrah had said that despite him not taking enough wickets, he’s happy with his bowling. “I just focus on the process. Some days you get wickets, some days you don’t. I am happy to be back, playing all formats.”

The right-hander had a rare off ODI series where he could not manage a wicket across the three games and when that form extended in the first Test, fans and pundits began to go overdrive as far as returns were concerned. But the second Test gave enough indications that he may be gradually returning to his pomp.