India win series against New Zealand, Day 4 in Kolkata, 2nd Test
India :
India win series against New Zealand. Here are the highlights of the Day 4 of the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
India bowlers guided the team to a convincing victory of New Zealand in the second Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Monday to hand India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
New Zealand, chasing a target of 376 runs, were bowled out for 197 in their second innings that gave India a 178 run victory.
With this win, India are now the number one ranked team in Test cricket after dethroning Pakistan who were top of the ranking after drawing their Test series against England in August.
Three Indian bowlers Mohammed Shami, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each while Bhuvneshwar Kumar took a wicket as well.
Wriddhiman Saha was named the man-of-the-match for his two unbeaten half-centuries in at his home ground.
After the win, India captain Virat Kohli said that it was a great moment and India will make it their objective to remain at top for a long period of time.
The third and final Test of the series begins in Indore on October 8, Saturday.
India beat New Zealand by 178 runs to win the second Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Monday and claim a 2-0 series win.
As a result, the hosts also replaced Pakistan as the World No. 1 Test team.
The victory in India’s 250th Test match at home comes on the heels of the hosts winning their 500th Test match, thus taking an insurmountable lead in the three-match series.
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Set a daunting victory target of 376, New Zealand started the chase well before the slide began with Martin Guptill falling leg before to Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashwin and spin counterpart Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each in the second innings.
Virat Kohli, India captain says “It was a lovely Test match. It was a brilliant Test wicket. Complete all-round performance by the team. It took character to bounce back every time but that’s what the boys did. Saha is the best wicketkeeper in the country right now. Really happy for Rohit and given his love affair with the Eden, I was expecting him to score in one of the two innings.
Ross Taylor, New Zealand captain says “It was a good Test wicket. We were under pressure after conceding a 112-run lead by the Saha-Rohit partnership took it away. We will have nothing to lose in Indore and will play fear-free cricket. Hopefully, Kane will get some energy back and it would be great to have him back in the team for the last Test.”
Wriddhiman Saha named Man of the Match award: “Very happy to win the series and getting my first Man of the Match award. Thankful to the players and the crowd for their support. The local media have always supported me. Didn’t score any runs in Kanpur, so I just wanted to take my time here. I wanted to keep watching the ball closely and play with soft hands.”
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Indian bowlers never allowed New Zealand to dominate the proceedings.
India win by 178 runs! Shami removes Boult, with Vijay taking the catch near short third man to end the game! India are now the No 1 side in the world, and it had to happen in their 250th Test!
Shami bangs in a short on, which Boult top-edges. Vijay shuffles back, and collects the catch! Celebrations all over the park, with the Eden crowd going jubilant at the prospect of dislodging India from the top spot in the ICC Test rankings.
Superb catch by Kohli at short cover, as Jadeja grabs his third wicket! Henry was looking to drive this flighted delivery along off through the coves, but did not expect the opposition skipper to take a fine one-handed catch!
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Jadeja strikes right after the drinks break, and renmoves the last remaining thorn in Luke Ronchi, who departs for 32 after 60 balls! Pitched along middle, Ronchi looks to play across the line on the backfoot, and gets an inside-edge, from where the ball deflects onto his stumps after his pads. The hosts are closing in on a famous win now!
India may have to pull out of next year’s Champions Trophy in England if the BCCI implements Justice RM Lodha Committee recommendations in toto, Board president Anurag Thakur warned on Monday.
