14-0 at home in Tests

India’s victory against Kiwis secures 14 series triumphs on the trot

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Indian spinners once again bared their fangs, sealing a record 372-run victory against New Zealand in the second and final test at Wankhede Stadium on Monday to secure a 14th consecutive series win at home.

India’s last Test series defeat at home had come against England back in the 2012-2013 season where England had emerged triumphant 2-1 in the 4-match series.

As expected, Virat-led team mopped up the New Zealand lower order within 40 minutes of play on day four. Chasing a mammoth 540, the Black Caps were bowled out for 167 in 56.3 overs.

With this Virat Kohli and his men dethroned New Zealand in the latest ICC Test championships rankings and climbed to the top spot.

India now has 124 rating points, while New Zealand lost three points and remains with 121 points. Kohli became the first player with 50 international wins in each format of the game.

New Zealand has not won a Test series in India in their 12 attempts. Last they won a Test match in India was way back 1988 at Wankhede.

Kiwis lost 49 tests by an innings, but this was their largest defeat in terms of runs where their opponents have batted twice. Their 33-year wait for a win in India goes on. Their wait for a first series win in India goes on too.

However, this was the biggest margin of victory by runs for India in a home match, eclipsing their 337- run win against South Africa in a Delhi test in 2015.

Spin-bowling all-rounder Jayant Yadav did most of the damage on the fourth morning, picking up 4-49 to cut through New Zealand’s middle and lower order. Ravichandran Ashwin took the final wicket to finish with 4-34. With just a few hundred fans present in the stands to cheer the team on, the wily off-spinner took 14 wickets over the two matches. Ashwin is the world’s leading wicket-taker this year with 52.

Without any debate, this Test match will be remembered forever as ‘Aamchi Ajaz’s Test match’ for his 10-fer. The Black Caps have had a busy year on the road and will now head home licking some wounds. They can be proud of their great escape in Kanpur and Patel’s historic feat in Mumbai. The Indian cricket team would now look to continue their impressive run in the longest format of the game as they travel to South Africa for the 3-match Test assignment.

Kohli backs Rahane; hints at ‘discussions’ ahead of SA

“I can’t judge his (Rahane’s) form. No one can judge it. Only the individual knows what he’s going through,” Kohli said when asked about the Mumbaikar’s poor patch which has resulted in an average of less than 20 across 12 Tests. “We as players know what happens in the team and in our heads. There’s a lot going on outside and we can’t let those things affect the way we play. We support everybody in the side, Ajinkya or anyone. “We don’t take decisions based on what happens outside,” Kohli made it clear.

MCA felicitates Ajaz for his rare feat

The Mumbai Cricket Association felicitated New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel - the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings for his incredible feat. MCA president Vijay Patil gifted him a score sheet and a memento to mark the special moment. The Kiwi pacer, who spent his childhood in Jogeshwari - in the suburbs of the city - also donated a ball and a tee for the proposed MCA museum.

‘Technique won’t guarantee runs all the time’

“It feels good to be back among the runs and this knock is special for me. I didn’t change anything from Kanpur, I just had the mental discipline and determination,” Agarwal said. “The technique isn’t going to be the best all the time, it won’t guarantee runs, but the will to fight is key.”

Good headache to have: Kohli

The success of fringe players has left Kohli’s India in a good space as they head to South Africa in a week’s time for a three-Test series. “Those are discussions we are going to have now with the selectors,” Kohli told reporters. “It is a good headache to have. We have to have clarity with these things. Kohli said he was pleased by the hunger shown by the younger players to do well in the longest format.“To play test cricket you need passion and intent. Indian cricket is in safe hands when you have so many people who have that. People are hungry to play tests well.”

‘Siraj is in the best headspace as a bowler’

“He’s (Siraj) come a long way,” Kohli said. “He’s certain