India’s quest for home domination got off to the best possible start with a 3-0 whitewash over the visiting Kiwis. Although the series was decided by the end of the second Test, the dead-rubber at Indore promised a lot, this being the first Test ever at the Holkar stadium. Here are five talking points from India’s 321 run win in the third Test:
Gautam Gambhir’s comeback
A sensational comeback at 34 is not just Sourav Ganguly’s forte. Gambhir managed to carve his way back into the Test side with strong performances in the domestic circuit, more recently in the Duleep Trophy.
Injuries to Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul made a pathway for his return to the Test side after a gap of two years. He started off with a positive intent, batting with a more open stance, playing his trademark shots from the word go.
His stay in the first innings was cut short prematurely, but not before he scored a flurry of boundaries (including back to back sixes). He looked to carry on in the second innings, but got a major jolt when he had to retire hurt after jamming his shoulder while diving to complete a run.
He was back the next morning, quickly lapping up a half century. He looked good for more, but ended up gifting a catch to Martin Guptill off Jeetan Patel.
Jimmy Neesham’s love for India
Known for his humorous tweets, James Neesham isn’t unaccustomed to facing the Indian bowling attack. Making his debut against the same opposition in 2014, he scored a sensational unbeaten 137 to help force the match to a draw at Wellington.
He’s played two Tests against India, averaging 80 with the bat with a century and a half-century to his credit.
Drafted back in this match after a rib-injury, Neesham played a gritty knock down the order after a collapse sent the Kiwis reeling at 148-5. His staid 71 helped the tourists get some respectable score on the board.
Much like Mitchell Santner, Neesham provides stability down the order, apart from hurling down useful medium pace. Given his performance in the final Test, it would have made a difference for the Kiwis if he was part of the first two Tests.
The Kohli-Rahane combination
For long, it was debated if the gaping hole left by the departure of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid would ever be filled. Even though they have a long way to go to establish a strong reputation, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane have proved to be worthy replacements for the more celebrated duo.
Kohli quashed his supposed poor form with a dominating knock of 211, his second double hundred in three months. In the company of Rahane, who got off to a scratchy start but found his flow subsequently, he motored India to a total over 500. Rahane went on to make 188. The latter then added 23 quick runs to his match’s tally, helping India set a daunting target of 474.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s domination continues
The 30-year old off-spinner is proving to be too hot to handle at home. He became the third quickest to 20-five wicket hauls in Tests, reaching the milestone in only 39 matches.
He went past Ishant Sharma’s tally of 209 Test wickets, ending with 27 wickets in this series alone. He also managed to claim his best figures in a Test innings, taking 7-59 in the fourth innings to skittle out the Kiwis for 153.
He was also the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings, helping himself to six wickets. Known for his batting prowess as well, he didn’t get a chance to bat in the match.
Martin Guptill’s earnest attempt to salvage Test career
A limited-overs powerhouse, Guptill has just not been able to bring the same success to his game in the whites. An average of 29 doesn’t give justice to his immense talent and indubitable match-winning skills. With serious doubts over his Test career, Guptill dug in to score a doughty 72 before he was run out in unlucky fashion off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin in the first innings.
In the second innings, Tom Latham’s early departure put loads of pressure on the right-hander to make another notable contribution. He received blows on his body while facing the new ball, but carried on, earnestly attempting a career-changing knock. It wasn’t meant to be, as he couldn’t go past 29.
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