Spinner Ravi Ashwin claimed seven second innings wickets to help dismiss the BLACKCAPS late on day four and secure a 321 run victory for the hosts.
In short
As the headline suggests, India showed why they are officially the new world number ones in Test cricket.
Lead by the irrepressible Ravi Ashwin, who claimed 13 wickets for the match, they dismissed the BLACKCAPS for 153 in the second innings, despite early resistance from Martin Guptill (29), Kane Williamson (27) and Ross Taylor (32).
The victory secures India the Test series 3-0.
Numbers
4 out of four dismissals for Kane Williamson at the hands of Ravi Ashwin
5 higher targets set by India in Tests, than the 475 in this match. The highest they set was 617 also against the BLACKCAPS in Wellington in 2008-09
27 wickets for Ashwin over the three Test series
168 Ross Taylor’s strike rate
Pic of the day
The moment BJ Watling dislodged the bails to dismiss Murali Vijay...
With the bat
He’s looked good all series and today Cheteshwar Pujara finally bagged himself a hundred. A brilliant player square of the wicket, he thoroughly deserved his three figures.
With the ball
What more can you say about Mr Ashwin. A real class act and an absolute master of his craft. His metronomic accuracy, coupled with his subtle variations make him an absolute menace, especially in his own conditions. A deserved man of the match and man of the series.
In the field
They say you can judge a team’s attitude by their fielding. On a fourth consecutive day in the park the BLACKCAPS showed all their fighting spirit as they continued to chase, dive and generally give their all. This resulted in a run out to Guptill and Watling in the first session along with three direct hits. Positive signs to see from a team who’ve had to do it tough in a long a hot series.
Quirk
Many observers were taken by surprise to see the BLACKCAPS compact and watchful opener Tom Latham get off the mark in the second innings with a glorious flick off his legs for six. Timed it sweet as nut.
It’s India
India love a ceremony, or as they are called over here, a ‘felicitation’. You can imagine the officialdom that followed this Test which secured a series whitewash and secured India the number one ICC Test world ranking. Don't get us wrong - a fair enough reason to celebrate.
Quote
“Very disappointing. We wanted a far more complete performance. It’s a shame, we expected more, but there’a a huge amount of learnings.” - Kane Williamson
Day Three
Ashwin turns screws on BLACKCAPS
India's spin king Ravi Ashwin quite literally had a hand in 8 wickets to help dismiss the BLACKCAPS for 299, despite half centuries to Martin Guptill, Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham.
In short
The BLACKCAPS made a bright start to their first innings reply with Guptill and Latham combing for a 118 run opening stand.
But Ashwin (6 for 81) would account for both players, Latham (53) caught and bowled and Guptill run out at the non strikers end from a Ashwin tip on for 72.
The wickets fell regularly from there, but 71 from Neesham ensured the BLACKCAPS got a respectable total in the end.
299 still left them with a 258 run deficit that was extended by 18 runs for no loss by India who played out six overs to finish day three.
Snap of the day
Numbers
5 five wicket bags for Ashwin against the BLACKCAPS - most of any Indian bowler
20 five wicket bags for Ashwin in just 37 Tests, third fastest ever to the milestone
21 was Guptill’s total when he was dropped in the cordon by Ajinkya Rahane
40 was Neesham’s average when he reached 28 not out
241 runs for Neesham against India in just three knocks at bat
With the bat
What a sight it was to see Martin Guptill back to his aggressive best with the bat. Looked destined for a hundred before he was tragically run out at the non strikers end. Some lovely shots in his 72 run knock, the below lofted off drive for six off Ashwin the pick of them.
With the ball
He’s been a constant threat all series and on day three Ravi Ashwin was at his twirling best. The right arm off spinner single handedly erased the BLACKCAPS positive start with the bat, first by breaking the 118 run opening partnership before claiming the next four wickets. He then following that up with two finger tip run outs of batsmen at the non strikers. A fine cricket, but a real nightmare if you’re a BLACKCAPS fan!
In the field
The right finger tips of Ravi Ashwin accounted for two BLACKCAP being unfortunately run out at the non strikers end. A couple of classic straight drives from Luke Ronchi and Matt Henry spelling the gut wrenching end for Guptill and Jeetan Patel. Horrible way to go. Skill, luck or a bit of both from the bowler?
Quirk
A young newlywed Kiwi couple were spotted in the crowd on day three. Apparently it was their honeymoon. Great commitment that!
It’s India
A fight nearly broke out in the press box. Two very passionate participants. Still unclear what the beef was about. Lots of noise, thankfully little violence.
Quote
"We've got a big couple of days ahead of us." - Tom Latham under no illusions about what's ahead.
Day Two
BLACKCAPS turn to bat
Martin Guptill and Tom Latham saw off nine overs to end day two in Indore on 28-0, as the visitors mount their reply to India 557-5 declared.
In Short
Another tough day for the bowlers on a flat pitch.
Viral Kohli became the first Indian captain to score two double centuries and together with Ajinkya Rahane (187) they put on a record 367 runs for the fourth wicket to set up the Indian declaration at 557-5.
The BLACKCAPS once again stuck to their task well, bowling 169 overs between the five front line bowlers.
Martin Guptill and Tom Latham will resume day three at 28-0.
Numbers
2 times an India number 4 and 5 have both scored 150+ in the same innings
3rd highest total for India against the BLACKCAPS
10 extras the BLACKCAPS gave away in India’s innings
61 boundaries in the India innings
22536 attended Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday - a sell out
Picture of the day
Good hunger from Matt Henry - his appeal was turned down, but not for lack of intensity. Just look at that face.
With the bat
The marathon 365 run partnership between Kohli and and Rahane was sapping for both the BLACKCAPS bowlers and supporters. Patient and precise, the pair piled on the pain and produced a record fifth wicket stand for India. A very profitable partnership.
With the ball
The BLACKCAPS five man unit bowled 169 overs over the past two days, in conditions which might not have been as hot as Kolkata, but were still messing around in the 30s. Mitchell Santner bowled 44 overs alone - you can expect the team masseuse to be a busy man tonight.
In the field
Spare a thought for BJ Watling, The BLACKCAPS wicket-keeper effectively squatted no less than 1014 times over the past couple of days, while also being charged with energising the troops and leading the appeals. Gutsy effort from the BLACKCAPS gloveman.
Quirk
The BLACKCAPS got a small head start when it came time to bat, after Jadeja received a five run penalty for running on the pitch. Having been previously warned, Jadeja was deemed to have crossed the line one too many times by the umpires, leaving the BLACKCAPS a mere 552 further runs to match India’s first-innings total. Jadeja also received a fine and three demerit points from ICC Match Referee David Boon.
This is India
Excitement in the press box (to be fair, did help keep things interesting today). Most places you tour, the general rule is not to get too excited and keep the decibels to a minimum when in the press box. Not so in India. Century to Rahane? Applause. Sharma six? Applause. Kohli outside edge through slips? Applause. Different etiquette over here.
Day One
In Short
A tough watch for BLACKCAPS fans.
It started with Virat Kohli winning his 7th consecutive toss on home soil and ended with the Indian captain not out on 103.
Tom Latham got the visitors off to a great start when he pouched a miracle catch under the helmet in the fifth over, but two more wickets either side of lunch would be as good as it got for the BLACKCAPS.
Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane combining for a 167 run fourth wicket partnership to have the hosts 257-3 at stumps on a slow opening day.
To the BLACKCAPS credit they stuck to their work admirably and kept the run rate under 3s, which in the unresponsive conditions was to be commended.
Numbers
1 ball bowled in the match before a new one was required #bustedseam
1st Test ever for Indore ... they were excited!
2 consecutive sixes in the fourth over of the Test. Gambhir off Henry
5th over of the match saw the introduction of spin via Jeetan Patel.
7 tosses in a row won by India in home Tests … yep … hurts
22nd Test venue for India
2000 Test runs for Ajinkya Rahane - the 36th Indian batsman to reach that milestone
2002 was the last time a spinner bowled so early in a Test for the BLACKCAPS
Snap of the day
With the ball
It wasn’t as bad of a bowling display as the scorecard suggests. Mitchell Santner takes the award for clean bowling Cheteshwar Pujara with a beauty. The ball drifted into the right hander, drawing him into playing the wrong line, before the it spun sharply onto off stump and removed it from the ground. Nice to watch!
With the bat
Beware the sleeping giant. He’d been kept quiet for the much of the Test series, but Virat Kohli stole the show on day one. He patiently compiled his century and looked assured at the crease. Crowd cheered every run. It was a real sight! Classy innings from the opposition skipper.
In the field
It's offical - Tom Latham is a gun fielder under the lid. He may not like it - but he's making the position his own and today he pulled off an absolute specy! Murali Vijay has flicked one straight out of the middle of the bat and straight at Latham who was a mere metre away. Latham's done exceptional to locate the ricocheted off his arm and cradle it for a brilliant in close catch. Special! Needed!
+ James Neesham nearly proved the ultimate party pooper when he threw down the stumps with Kohli sprinting a quick single for his century. The direct hit completely hushed the frenzied Indian crowd for a moment before replays confirmed he’d just made it home! Props to the big man for moving so well late on a tough day in the dirt.
Quirk
You don’t see many Mexican waves at the cricket! To be fair to the people of Indore they don’t see much international cricket in this part - so who can blame them for producing this age old sporting classic!
It’s India
A bird kept the media company for much of the second session, as it proudly sat perched and tweeting (not social media) on a railing inside the press box.
Quote
“You turn up at the ground knowing that you’re probably going to lose the toss and be bowling, so it’s an easier mental shift.” - James Neesham’s tongue and cheek assessment of losing the third consecutive toss of the series.
