India wrap up series,
TABLE TOPPERS Defeat NZ to go 2-0 up, unseat Pakistan as top Test side
KOLKATA: India regained their No.1 position in Tests with a 178-run victory against New Zealand on a tricky pitch that gave them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. A confident innings from Tom Latham saw New Zealand start strong, but without their skipper and best batsman, Kane Williamson, saving the Test was going to be tough.
India’s bowling craft was its best. As expected on a fourth day’s pitch at the Eden, spinners came into play but pacers played a vital part. Add to that Wriddhiman Saha’s gritty unbeaten knocks before an outstanding stint with the gloves and India never looked in danger of losing their way despite the visitors being 104/1 at one time. And then there was Virat Kohli’s instinct, which is slowly making him look like the captain India need to harness their talent.
This win has come off a combined effort, but for Saha it will be special. Two unbeaten fifties at his home ground have firmly established his credentials as a No.7 who can buttress the innings when needed. He is not the most graceful batsman, especially against pacers who have often jarred his hands and other parts of his body. But Sahahasshownthecouragetoride out the initial hostility and make his presence felt. And when he complements his batting with the kind of catching that got Latham out after a stubborn innings, India know they have the right person at the right position.
Only after the dismissal of Latham — in the first over after tea --- did India look likely to repeat their Eden feat of 2001 where they got the last seven wickets in the final session on Day 5. Here, INDIA 1st Inn 316
NEW ZEALAND 1st Inn INDIA 2nd Inn (O/N 227/8) NEW ZEALAND 2nd Inn another gruelling day awaited New Zealand if they had got past the fourth. Still, they showed some fight with the bat in a series that hasn’t been dominated by batsmen. Neither team has scored 400. And it took four innings for a team to put up a 50-run opening partnership in this Test. It could have been broken earlier though. Mohammed Shami hit Martin Guptill plumb on his pad but his appeal was turned down. Next time he appealed, against Mitchell Santner, there was no ambiguity.
Guptill, however, couldn’t cash