Indore witnesses Indian whitewash, official rise to top of test ranking

Sports Correspondent

NewsBits.in

Bhopal: The Holkar Stadium at Indore witnessed historical moments at its test debut as India whitewashed New Zealand in a three-match test series and getting the official top position of ICC test ranking.

Spinner R Ashwin shined bright again as the hosts ran through the batting line-up of the visitors, beating them by 321 runs – the second highest winning margin of India in its 84 years test history.

The biggest win of India in test matches had come in December 2015 when they beat South Africa by 337 runs in New Delhi. Before this, India beat Australia by 320 runs in Mohali test match in 2008.

This series win took the Indian team to the top of ICC test ranking. This was officially affirmed at the Indore prize distribution ceremony when former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar handed over the ICC championship mace to Indian captain Virat Kohli.

Ashwin shined in the Indian win as he ended up with 130 wickets for 140 runs in the test, completely running through the New Zealand batting line-up.

Chasing a target of 475 runs, New Zealand could never get started as Ashwin rattled them after Tea on Day 4. The visitors folded up at meager 153 runs. Ashwin picked up 21st five-wicket haul of his Test career.

Earlier in the day, Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century to help India post a big total as captain Kohli declared the second innings at 213/3. In the first inning, India had declared at 557/5 and in reply New Zealand could just score 299 runs.

The highlight of Indian first innings was double century (211) by captain Virat Kohli and 188 by Cheteshwar Pujara.

(Photo courtesy: www.bhaskar.com)