Indians complete formalities

Ashwin (6/132) ends New Zealand's resistance as Kohli's men take 1-0 lead

India had to toil before the inevitable occurred within an hour into the lunch session. New Zealand bit the dust and handed the hosts, commemorating their 500th Test, a 197-run victory and with that a 1-0 lead in three-match series.

The overnight fifth-wicket stand of Mitchell Santner (71) and Luke Ronchi (80) prospered to 102 to frustrate the Indian team on Monday, the last day of the match at Green Park.

Once, Ravindra Jadeja removed a well settled Ronchi before lunch, the Black Caps, who had begun the day at 93/4, folded up swiftly for 197 in their pursuit of 434, much to the delight of a handsome turnout.

Santner, who impressed with his left-arm spin, showed his prowess with the bat too, in his first Test in India. By all means, he would be the player to watch out for in the New Zealand camp in the coming Test matches in Kolkata and Indore.

For India, Ravichandran Ashwin’s love affair with the sub-continental conditions continued. The off-spinner, who had become the second fastest to reach the 200 wickets in 37 Tests on Sunday, finished with impressive figures of 6/132 in the second innings and 10 wickets for the match. He was amply supported by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja, who had shone with the bat in both innings and the ball in the first innings. He finished with a total of seven wickets in this Test and won the ‘man of the match’ honours.

With their back against the wall, the Black Caps took the fight to the Indians on a cloudy morning with the threat of rain looming in the distance. But the bright sunshine soon dispelled the grey and paved the way for an Indian victory.

With the pitch becoming a slow dustbowl, Ronchi and Santner, picked the line of the Indian spinners early to put up a stubborn resistance. The two saw off 20.4 overs in the morning, picking runs at a fast clip and pushing the Indians to their wit’s end.

But then it was just a matter of time, and significantly of one wicket. Ronchi, after a resilient knock, threw it all away when he recklessly slogged Jadeja’s delivery against the turn, only to find the edge soaring to Ashwin at point. The rest of the New Zealand team wilted in the next 29.5 overs.

 Mohammad Shami inflicted damage with the old ball when he first hit BJ Watling on the pad for a leg-before verdict and then clattered Mark Craig’s middle-stump with an excellent piece of reverse swing. The Indians’ joyous state was apparent when the teams dispersed for lunch at 205/7Turn and bounce Santner, who had raised a well-timed half-century in the morning, threw in the towel shorty after resumption. He was done in by the brilliant turn and bounce of Ashwin’s delivery that took the edge of his bat to be pouched at silly point. Satner, in near disbelief, departed with a smile at the vicious behaviour of the pitch. Ashwin then completed the formalities to spark celebrations all around.

New Zealand, who had dominated the first two days with their allround performance, couldn’t cope with the vagaries of degenerating pitch. With their off-spinner Craig already ruled out for the rest of the series owing to a side strain, the Black Caps would be approaching the historic Eden Gardens for the second Test with plenty on their plates.

India, who have begun their lengthy journey of 13 Tests at home on a victorious note, also have injury worries. KL Rahul couldn’t take the field on the fourth and the fifth days due to hamstring niggle and Shikhar Dhawan was seen having an ‘open’ nets with coach Anil Kumble bowling to him. The Kolkata Test, beginning on September 30, could turn out to be decisive.