5 of the most bankable players from the second Test between India and New Zealand

Buoyed by the win in their 500^th Test at Kanpur, India went into the Kolkata Test, their 250^th at home, hoping to achieve another comprehensive victory over New Zealand. And after four days of hard-fought cricket, the home side once again prevailed over the Kiwis, winning the game by a big margin of 176 runs.

The match did not start well for India, as they were reduced to 239 for seven at the end of the first day. But some stoic batting from Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha took them to 316.

The Kiwis’ reply was cut short by a superb spell of swing bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took a five-for. The 26-year-old helped dismiss the visitors for a mere 204, giving India a crucial lead of 112.

India, in their second innings, found themselves in a spot of bother before a fine partnership between Rohit Sharma and Saha gave them a lead of 375. That in turn set New Zealand a target of 376, something which had never been achieved before at Eden Gardens.

Chasing a big total, New Zealand were found wanting against the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, as well as the reverse swing of Mohammed Shami. They got all out for 197, handing India the win and also the No. 1 Test ranking.

The Kolkata Test saw quality cricket from both sides, with some excellent individual performances. Let’s take a look at the five best ones, including that of Bhuvneshwar Kumar - who was adjudged the Jana Bankable Player of the match.

#5 Rohit Sharma

1^st Innings: 2 (12)

2^nd Innings: 82 (132), 9 fours, 2 sixes

After being scrutinised from all corners for not being able to convert his talent into big scores in Tests, Rohit Sharma finally came good as he made a crucial 82 for India in the second innings. He, alongside Saha, put on an extremely vital stand of 103 for the seventh wicket, taking India’s lead well beyond New Zealand’s reach.

Rohit looked like a man in control throughout his innings, patiently playing out the good deliveries and confidently hitting the bad ones to the boundary. He was particularly harsh on the spin of Jeetan Patel, striking at over a hundred against the spinner.

Throughout the innings, Rohit favoured the off-side, dispatching the over-pitched balls to the cover region with ease.

#4 Mohammed Shami

1^st Innings: 3 for 70

2^nd Innings: 3 for 46

Being a fast bowler in Indian conditions can be a back-breaking task, considering the meagre assistance pacers get on the flat wickets. But Mohammed Shami doesn’t often let adverse circumstances hamper his performance, and he proved that once again in the Kolkata Test.

Shami bagged a total of 6 wickets, and played a key role in dismantling the New Zealand middle and lower order.

He bowled accurate lines throughout the match, making the batsmen play most of the deliveries. That was a major factor in him getting five of his six wickets either leg before wicket or bowled.

An exceptional exponent of reverse swing, Shami put this art on display beautifully in the second half of New Zealand’s second innings. He clean bowled BJ Watling with a peach of a delivery that reversed back in from outside off, sending the off-stump for a toss.

#3 Ravichandran Ashwin

Batting - 1^st Innings: 26 (33)

Bowling – 1^st Innings: 1/40

Batting – 2^nd Innings: 5 (23)

Bowling - 2^nd Innings: 3/82

Ravichandran Ashwin has displayed extraordinary levels of consistency ever since making his Test debut, and he carried on his good work in the Kolkata Test as well.

Ashwin didn’t get to bowl much in the first innings, as Bhuvneshwar Kumar did the bulk of the damage. But in the second innings Ashwin made his presence felt, bagging three vital wickets at key moments of the New Zealand innings.

The off-spinner first broke the opening partnership of Tom Latham and Martin Guptill, as he dismissed Guptill plumb in front. He then returned to get rid of Kiwi skipper Ross Taylor leg-before, and a few overs later, dismissed a well-settled Latham caught behind for 74.

His three wickets were not only taken at extremely crucial junctures of the fourth innings, but were also of the three best New Zealand batsmen. His wicket of Taylor was his 400^th international wicket, and reinforced his status as one of the most consistent players in the country.

#2 Wriddhiman Saha

1^st Innings: 54 (85), 7 fours, 2 sixes

2^nd Innings: 58 (120), 6 fours

Ever since MS Dhoni’s retirement, Wriddhiman Saha has silently made the wicket-keeper’s spot in Tests his own. He has displayed some fine glovework as well as consistent performances lower down the order with the bat to put the Indian fans at ease.

Saha would have hoped to put up a good show while playing on his home ground, and he did exactly that in this Test. He scored two extremely crucial and unbeaten half-centuries in the two innings of the Test, becoming the first Indian wicket-keeper to do so.

In India’s second innings, Saha put on a 103-run stand with Rohit Sharma, taking the game away from the visitors' reach. Had he got out early, New Zealand could have had a foot in the door, but the local lad's resolute performance ensured India remained ahead.

Saha’s fine performance also earned him the man-of-the-match award, a first for the keeper-batsman in Tests.

#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar – Jana Bankable Player of the match

Batting – 1^st Innings: 5 (11)

Bowling - 1^st Innings: 5 for 48

Batting – 2^nd Innings: 23 (51)

Bowling - 2^nd innings: 1 for 28

A bankable player is someone who can deliver for his side when it's needed the most, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar did just that in the Kolkata Test, taking a five-for in the 1st innings to destroy the New Zealand top order. Kumar consistently made the ball talk and persisted with good lengths, making life extremely tough for the Kiwi batsmen.

Of his five scalps, three were clean bowled and one leg before, which once again showcased his ability to bowl an immaculate length. The early grass covering on the wicket also assisted Kumar, and he made sure his wrist position was perfect and the seam was straight, allowing the surface to do the rest.

Given the fact that pacers have seldom played a dominant role on Indian surfaces, this was a remarkable spell of swing bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and will likely be remembered in the annals of Indian cricket for a long time to come.

Bhuvneshwar was adjudged the Jana Bankable Player of the Match for his all-round contribution and consistency throughout the match, and the reward was thoroughly well-deserved.

The next Test match at Indore poses a few interesting questions for both teams. While the Kiwis will be looking to salvage some pride and secure a win, the Indians would look to possibly experiment with their team composition and give the likes of Gautam Gambhir, Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav an opportunity so that everyone is ready for the next Test series against England.