IND beat NZ: 5 takeaways from IND vs NZ series: Dominant India reclaimed the no. 1 Test rankings on Monday with a record 372 runs win over World Test Champions New Zealand in the Wankhede Test. Riding on Mayank Agarwal’s heroics with the bat – century in 1st innings followed with a fifty in 2nd innings – & Jayant Yadav’s four-wicket haul in the second innings India thrashed New Zealand by 372 runs and sealed the two-match series 1-0. Now Virat Kohli’s side will head to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, beginning December 26. Follow InsideSport.in for more updates
IND vs NZ: 5 takeaways from India’s thrashing of New Zealand as focus shifts on India tour of South Africa
Here at InsideSport.In we will have a look at 5 takeaways from the recently concluded IND vs NZ series –
Mayank, Gill, and Saha are here to stay – The young guns Mayank Agarwal, Shubhman Gill & the experienced wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha rose to the expectations in the absence of regulars – Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul & Rishabh Pant respectively. While Mayank slammed a ton & a fifty in the Mumbai Test, Shubhman Gill ensured to provide India a solid start. W Saha too contributed with bat and didn’t let India miss Risabh Pant behind the wickets.
Shreyas Iyer future star of India Test cricket – India’s latest Test debutant – Shreyas Iyer – showed he is an all-format cricketer. The Mumbaikar slammed a ton on his debut and went on to become the only Indian to score a ton and fifty on the debut Test. With Pujara & Rahane struggling with form, Shreyas Iyer comes as an alarm and it won’t be much of a surprise if Iyer becomes a Test regular in the future.
Also read: ICC Test Rankings: India defeats New Zealand to become No.1 ranked test team in the world
M Siraj proves worth in home conditions after passing abroad Test – The Hyderabad pacer was exceptional in Mumbai with the new ball. His sheer pace and accurate line and length were on full display when he rattled the Kiwis top order in the 1st innings. He was amongst the leading wicket-takers in India’s tour of England before the IPL 2021 and is said to form the pace attack for South Africa’s tour.
Axar Patel’s emergence as a complete all-rounder: Like Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel too has emerged as a bright spot for the Indian side. While he was impressive in his debut series against England with the ball, the Gujarat all-rounder contributed with the bat too in the IND vs NZ series. Patel scored his maiden Test fifty in 1st innings and followed it with a quickfire unbeaten 41 in the second innings at Wankhede. With Axar Patel, India now has three in-form and handy all-rounders in their rank.
Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane make it difficult – India’s Test specialists Cheteshwar Pujara & Ajinkya Rahane still remain a subject of worry for the Indian side. While it has been more than 1000 days for India’s number 3 – Cheteshwar Pujara to score a century, Ajinkya Rahane is said to lose his ‘vice-captain’ tag due to his dismal form. The duo continues to be the biggest worry for India’s think tank especially when India will play away from home. The form of Virat Kohli too adds to the worry as India’s entire middle order is going through a lean patch. The Indian skipper managed just 36 in the Wankhede Test and hasn’t scored an international ton for 2 years now.
IND vs NZ: 5 takeaways from India’s thrashing of New Zealand as focus shifts on India tour of South Africa
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