India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 5 Stats Review: Ravi Ashwin's record, Tom Latham's feat and other stats

Indian spinners wreaked havoc once again in a home Test as R Ashwin, India’s all-time third-highest wicket-taker now, along with Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja punctured Kiwis second innings on day five but a gritty knock from debutant Rachin Ravindra, who survived 91 balls, denied India a win in the first Test in Kanpur. Spinners and Shreyas Iyer proved gave Blackcaps a tough time in the game but valiant efforts from Tom Latham, Kane Williamson in the second innings helped the Kiwis to earn a draw.

Earlier on Day 2 of the Test, Shreyas Iyer scored a magnificent century in his very first Test making him the 16th Indian batter to achieve the milestone. His form continued even in the second innings as he scored a crucial 65 to help India set a challenging target of 284 for the Kiwis. He was duly supported by Wriddhiman Saha, who suffered a stiff neck injury in this Test, scoring 61 not out. Experienced players Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s dip in form continued as the duo could only manage just 87 runs in between them in the two innings combined. With Virat Kohli returning back and donning the captaincy hat for the second Test in Mumbai, it looks like Rahane will be the man to make way for Virat.

Speaking of the WTC winners, New Zealand looked a completely different unit from their win over India in the biggest Test back in June. Their struggle against spin in India continued as R Ashwin, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja took 17 out of 20 wickets in between them. With the ball, Kiwis were impressive as Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson shared 14 wickets between them in the first Test.

But it was their effort of blocking the balls on day five which helped them snatch a draw out from nowhere. Latham, Williamson, Somerville, Blundell, Ravindra, Jamieson and Patel played out 550 balls in between them to spoil the party for the Indians. The Kiwis would like to get back to winning ways by beating India in the Mumbai Test as the WTC champions would want to end the Indian tour on a high after a disappointing 3-0 T20I series whitewash.

Meanwhile, here are the important stats and numbers from India vs New Zealand first test:

16 – Shreyas Iyer became 16th India to score a century on Test debut.

6 – Shreyas Iyer became sixth Indian to achieve a ton on Test debut in the 21st Century.

52 – Kyle Jamieson (52) became the fastest Kiwi to reach 50 scalps in Tests. Jamieson achieved the feat in his ninth Test, while Shane Bond had done it in 12 Tests.

19.57 – Ajinkya Rahane’s average in Tests in 2021. This is Rahane’s worst average in a calendar year since making his debut in the year 2013.

3 – Ajinkya Rahane (19.57) is third in the list for having worst average by a batter playing 20 innings in position one-seventh in a calendar year.

58 – R Ashwin is now the highest wicket-taker against New Zealand in Tests. He surpassed Bishan Singh Bedi’s tally of 57 scalps.

419 – R Ashwin has now taken 419 wickets in Tests.

3 – R Ashwin (419) is now the third highest wicket-taker for India in Tests. Anil Kumble (619) and Kapil Dev (434) are ahead of him.

2017 – First Test drawn in India since the year 2017. Sri Lanka managed to do so in December that year.

1 – Shreyas Iyer is the first Indian player to hit a century and half-century on Test debut.

2014 – First drawn Test between India and New Zealand since the year 2014.

2 – R Ashwin is now the second highest wicket-taker by spinner for India in the longest format. Anil Kumble is at the top with 619 wickets.

5 – R Ashwin is now the fifth highest wicket-taker by a spinner in Test history.

2 – Tom Latham scored twin fifties in this Test. He became the second opener for scoring two 50 plus scores in both the innings against India since 2010. Shane Watson Achieved the feat in the year 2010.

52 – Tim Southee (52) reached 50 wickets against India in Tests.

4 – Tom Latham has now scored four half-centuries in last 6 innings against India.

7 – Shreyas Iyer became seventh Indian player to win Player of the match award on Test debut.