India sweep the two test series against New Zealand
India currently ranked no 5 by ICC in test rankings had ventured into the home series with New Zealand ranked no 8 with lot of apprehensions. Dhonis team had lost eight test matches in a row preceding the series four vs England and the other four vs Australia.Although India had been beaten on foreign soil on both the series but the manner of their losses left much to be desired particularly as they had come immediately following Indias triumph in 2011 ODI World Cup at home.Moreover two of Indias legends Rahul Dravid and V.V.S Laxman had called it a day and retired from test and international cricket prior to the series.
New Zealand were also not in their right frame of mind.They had been soundly beaten by West Indies at West Indies and also missed the services of their skipper Daniel Vettori.The team was led by stand in captain Ross Taylor who did not have much experience to bank on.An interesting feature of Indo Kiwi test series of the past have been the number of drawn games between the two sides.This record of drawn games were second only to the ones undertaken between India and Pakistan in test matches played between them.
First Test Hyderabad (23rd August,12-26th August,12)
Ms Dhoni the Indian captain won the toss and elected to bat.After some early reverses Cheteshwar Pujara coming at no 3 hit his maiden test century when he cracked a superb 159 (19 fours and 1 six) an innings filled with all round stroke play.He was ably supported by Virat Kohli (58) and M.S.Dhoni (73).India compiled a massive 438.New Zealands batsmen had no clue to the Indian spin attack led by R.Ashwin and ably supported by Pragyan Ojha.Ashwin with 6 for 31 bundled out the Kiwis for 159.Only James Franklin showed some resistance with an unbeaten 43.Following on New Zealand were again bundled out for 164 thereby losing by an innings and 115 runs.Ashwin and Ojha again ran through with nine wickets between them.
Brief Scores
India 438 Cheteshwar Pujara-159,M.S.Dhoni-73,Virat Kohli-58 J.S.Patel 4 for 100,Boult- 3 for 99.
New Zealand 159 J.Franklin 43 not out,R Ashwin 6 for 31,Pragyan Ojha 3 for 44.
New Zealand 164 B.Maccullum42,R.Ashwin 6 for 54,Pragyan Ojha 3 for 40.
India won by an innings and 115 runs
Man of the Match R.Ashwin (India)
Second Test Bengalaru (31st August-3rd September,12)
New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat.They put up a reasonable total of 365 architect of which was a magnificent century by their captain Ross Taylor (113).Taylor lay on the Indian attack and hit 16 fours and two huge sixes.Other contributions came from C.F.K. Van Wyk (71) and Martin Guptill (53).Pragyan Ojha captured 5 wickets for 99.India retaliated.The top three Sewag,Gambhir and Tendulkar failed again.Virat Kohli scored 103 with 14 fours and a six and he was supported by M.S.Dhoni (62) and Suresh Raina (5).T.G.Southee returned a career best 7 for 64.New Zealand were dismissed for 248 in their second knock with Ashwin bagging 5 wickets.India hit of their winning runs by losing only five wickets.Virat Kohli,M.S.Dhoni with an unbroken partnership of 96 and C.Pujara facilitated Indias series triumph
Brief Scores
New Zealand 365 Ross Taylor-114,C.F.K.Van Wyk 71,M.J.Guptill -53,P.Ojha 5 for 99.
India 353 Virat Kohli 103,M.S.Dhoni 62,Suresh Raina 55,T.G.Southee 7 for 64
New Zealand 248 J.Franklin 41,R.Ashwin- 5 for 69.
India - 262/5 Virat Kohli 51not out,M.S.Dhoni 48 not out,C.Pujara -48 ,J.S.Patel 3 for 63.
India won by 5 wickets
Man of the Match Virat Kohli
Man of the Tournament R.Ashwin
India won the Series 2-0.
Gautam Roy
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