India celebrate 500th Test with a 197-run victory
Ashwin completes 10-wicket haul as India celebrate 500th Test with a 197-run victory
Kanpur, Sept. 26: India celebrated their 500th Test in style when they overcame New Zealand’s final dogged resistance with mesmeric spin and masterful reverse swing to claim the series opener by 197 runs on Monday.
New Zealand were always going to do well to manage anything more than delaying the Indian celebrations when they resumed on 93 for four in their pursuit of an improbable 434-run victory target on a track offering generous spin and bounce. To their credit, they kept the home bowlers at bay for 50 overs on a turning day-five track before collapsing for 236 to give the hosts a comprehensive victory in the milestone test.
R. Ashwin claimed 6-132 to complete his 10-wicket match haul and prove why he is considered India’s premier spinner. His spin partner Ravindra
Jadeja was adjudged man-of-the-match for claiming six wickets and scoring 92 runs without being dismissed in either innings.
When final day’s play began under an overcast sky, overnight batsmen Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner (71) continued their resistance against the inform Indian spinners at Green Park Stadium. Kohli predictably began with spin from both ends but the batsmen mixed caution with aggression to defy their hosts. Left-arm spinner Jadeja finally made the breakthrough when he induced Ronchi into an illtimed slog against the turn and Ashwin pouched the skier at point. The dismissal pretty much summed up a test in which India’s spin duo, who shared 16 of the 20 Black Cap wickets between them, combined to wreck New Zealand’s hopes of a result.
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Consecutive Tests without a defeat at home for India. Since losing to England at Eden Gardens in December 2012, India have won 10 and drawn two. Only twice have India had a longer unbeaten streak at home. They were undefeated in 20 consecutiveTests between 1977 and 1980 and in 16 between 1960 and 1964.