Mumbai: India ended the day four of the Kanpur Test being in the drivers seat riding on spinner RaviChandra Ashwin’s spectacular display all through India’s 500th Test. The lanky offie achieved the feat of being the second quickest to 200 Test wickets milestone.
New Zealand are facing a huge task to avoid an embarrassing defeat. India needs six wickets to achieve the first win in Kanpur and go 1-0 up in the series. NZ have already lost their captain Kane Williamson (25) and their senior most player Ross Taylor (17) and are facing a tough task to bat out remaining 98 overs on the fifth day.
India started the day at 152 for 1 and batted positively to set up the declaration. Black Caps were always playing catch up cricket and set defensive fields to delay the inevitable. Murali Vijay (76) and Cheteshwar Pujara (78) missed out on hundreds and shared their second hundred partnership of the match. Virat Kohli (18), captain had a rare bad game but Rohit Sharma (68) and Ravindra Jadeja (50) scored at a brisk pace and shared 100 runs in just 111 balls. India might have batted too long but setting a target of 434 and had more or less 120 overs to get the Kiwis out.
Martin Guptill (zero) had a horrendous match and got out playing a slog sweep that ended up at silly point. Tom Latham, who batted impressively in the first innings, was lbw playing down the wrong line and Ashwin picked up all three wickets with other being the very dopey run –out.
Ravichandran Ashwin had a day to remember. He became the second fastest bowler in the history of the game to reach the landmark of 200 Test wickets. Clarrie Grimmet, former Aussie wrist spinner achieved the landmark in just 36 Test matches. Ashwin broke the records of Waqar Younis (38),Dale Steyn (39), Denis Lillee (38). The offie from Tamil Nadu overtook Indian legends Harbhajan Singh (46), Anil Kumble (47), Kapil Dev (50).
Ashwin would have been delighted that 200th victim was stylish and elegant Kane Williamson and has set the bar very high. Ashwin also has four hundred to his name and is going through a purple patch. India will play 12 more Test matches at home and the duo of Ashwin and Jadeja will create havoc amongst the visiting batsmen.
India’s match winner Ashwin said that,” “Ever since coming back from Australia (in 2014-15), I have been enjoying my last 100 wickets. I was planning my wickets better. The challenge from the opposition is always good. For example, Williamson was playing really well. Taylor was playing back. It’s a combination of playing good batsmen, conditions and match situations that makes this satisfying,” said Ashwin after stumps on Day 4.
Ashwin is only the ninth Indian to take 200 or more wickets. Kumble is the leading wicket-taker for India with 619 scalps to his name.
“It’s too early to talk about my achievements I have a long way to go. (12 more Tests to go in the season) Very important to take one day at a time. Test cricket can set you back if you take it for granted. Be greedy in terms of what you want to achieve, but preparing for a Test, you have to take it one day at a time,” Ashwin added.
India would hope that rain doesn’t play spoilsport and they can finish the job after lunch or halfway through the day. The men in blue have not done much wrong and Kiwis have been given a lesson on how to graft and play on low and slow pitches. Anil Kumble, head coach would be happy with his troops and with more matches under their belt India could regain the coveted No.1 ranking and carry the momentum in the upcoming matches.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 262 & 93/4 (Ronchi 38*, Ashwin 3-68) need another 341 runs to beat India 318 and 377/5 dec (Pujara 78, Vijay 76, Rohit 68*, Jadeja 50*, Santner 2-79)