India clinched the three-match series against New Zealand 2-0 after beating New Zealand by 178 runs on day four of the second Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Monday. Set an impropable target of 376 to win, New Zealand were doing quite well at 104/1 at one point in the second session, before a spectacular collapse in the final session led the visitors to be bowled out for 197. The win also meant that India regained the No 1 spot in Test rankings.
All of India's four bowlers picked up at least one wicket, but the most promising and enthralling performance with the ball was by Mohammed Shami, who picked up two wickets in an incredible six-over spell of reverse-swing bowling. The first was that of Mitchell Santner, who was rapped low on his pads by a dart from Shami bowling around the wicket. The left-hander was not happy with the decision, but replays showed the umpire got it right.
In his next over, Shami knocked over the off stump of BJ Watling and sent it cartwheeling with an unplayable reverse-swinging delivery. Shami got the ball to swing both ways and showed that you need talent and skills, and not a good pitch, to take wickets. The 26-year-old is back in the Indian team this year after a long injury layoff and is breathing fire. If India can keep him fit, they have a genuine pace spearhead in their hands.
The pace bowlers from both teams have outshone their spin-bowling compatriots in this Test match. Out of the 40 wickets that fell, 26 were taken by pace bowlers on a pitch that was supposedly a rank turner.
