India v New Zealand, 2nd Test – 5 Talking Points

India took an unassailable 2-0 series after they wrapped up New Zealand for 197 runs on day four to win the 2nd Test by 178 runs. India stretched their lead to 375 with the help of Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar before folding up in the morning session. The target was huge but New Zealanders showed some fight and did not surrender meekly.

Tom Latham struck a fantastic fifty but unfortunately his partners failed to convert the starts and support him. The Indians were made to work hard and the day four was no cakewalk for the hosts. The victory takes India to the top of the Test rankings dethroning Pakistan who took over the numero uno position last month.

Also, Virat Kohli extended his unbeaten streak as skipper to 12 matches. He successfully overtook MS Dhoni and now sits only behind Mohammad Azharuddin in terms of the unbeaten streak a skipper.

1. Saha, Bhuvi help India set a huge target:

Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar propelled India’s lead over New Zealand by a considerable margin in the morning session. After the departure of Jadeja, Kumar walked in and added 23 valuable runs off his bat in the brief 63 run 9th wicket stand after successfully battling it out against the Kiwis fast bowlers.

Saha, who resumed on his overnight score of 39 went to complete consecutive fifties and remained unbeaten on 58 at the end of the innings. The knocks from both these individuals helped India set a match-wining 376 run target for the visitors to chase.

2. Tom Latham’s staunch batting:

The Blacks Caps had a very positive start to the challenging task that was put on front of them to win or save the match. Tom Latham, in particular, was fantastic and made the Indian fans nervous. The left-hander, who fell cheaply in the first innings, made a patient 74 and kept his team in the chase.

He played vital roles in the top order today, stitching two sturdy partnerships at the top. Latham first combined with Martin Guptill to bring up the first fifty-run opening partnership of the series and go to lunch on 55 for 0. The stand came to an end after R. Ashwin struck with the fifth ball after lunch when he had Guptill lbw for 24.

However, Latham continued to fight with Henry Nicholls and the duo then added 49 for the 3rd wicket before Jadeja removed Nicholls to break their partnership. The Kiwis began slipping out of the game once Latham’s wicket fell in the 54th over.

3. Shami’s quick strikes take India closer to win:

If the credit for setting up the win goes to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, then Mohammad Shami should be given the credit for finishing up the game in India’s favor.

Shami took India closer to victory and denied the visitors any chance of a comeback by dismantling the middle order with two quick wickets.

Both his wickets – BJ Watling and Mitchell Santner – were of high importance and could have probably delayed India’s victory. Shami received full support from his home crowd and bowled his heart out today. The pace never dropped and he made full use of the reverse swing. Eventually, it was Shami who sealed the game when he snapped the wicket of the last man standing Trent Boult.

Also read – Twitter Reactions: India seal series at Eden Gardens, regains No.1 position

4. Poor Umpiring by Rod Tucker:

Rod Tucker had a terrible Test match so far. He made a few of harsh decisions right from day one. Most of them have mainly affected the Indians.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin were left frustrated a couple of times throughout the Test. On day 3, Cheteshwar Pujara was given out leg-before off a ball which clearly seemed to be drifting down leg. R Ashwin also suffered due to his poor decision making and was given out LBW.

On day 4, his faulty decision making continued as he made around four questionable decisions including two lbws off Jadeja’s bowling.

5. India topples Pakistan to become the top-ranked Test team:

India successfully reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings which it briefly held during the West Indies tour. The Indians have to only the make sure that they complete a clean sweep to quash all the possibilities of Pakistan, who also have a Test series against West Indies scheduled this month, regaining the top spot again.

Pakistan recently became No. 1 in Tests for the first time ever since the current Test rankings were introduced in 2003, by virtue of their 2-2 draw against England.

The only way Pakistan can return to the top is to first expect India to lose one the last Test and then manage to win their three-match contests by a clean sweep.