(Info4now, December 6, 2021)- With the return of King Kohli in the second game, India again at the helm of world cricket. They beat New Zealand by 372 runs in IND vs NZ 2nd Test in Mumbai and clinch the series 1-0. No doubt, Virat is still to find his rhythm with the bat, but his excellence in the captaincy easily beats a stand-in Tom Latham. The absence of Kane Williamson is really utilized by the opposition and India displace New Zealand from No.1 spot in ICC Test Ranking.
Post-Match Review: IND vs NZ 2nd Test, New Zealand Tour of India 2021
With the last minute selection of the playing XI, a huge change in both sides draws attention. Very unluckily Kane Williamson misses out on account of injury and an in-form Jadeja along with Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane fails to make the final XI. Kohli wins an important toss and that allows India to bat on a better track which, with the progress of time, becomes awkward with the foot mark.
Mayank Agarwal, a fine timer of cricket ball, gets back to rhythm. But Will Somerville’s inclusion was very surprising. In the preview of the last game, we expected Neil Wagner in place of Somerville only because of the easiness on the part of the Indian batsmen against the off-spinner. As the track had allowed more spin than the swing from a very close reading, New Zealand should have gone with Mitch Santner.
Azaz Patel’s 10 wicket houll in an innings will be remembered for ever. But not to gain any help from the other side was his problem to rein India’s scoring run rate. Even after the excellent performance in the last game, Tim Southee might have been given rest to include Wagner, and Mitch Santner must make the team in place of Will Somerville.
Virat Kohli and Mohammad Siraj combo just bowls out the top order of New Zealand in the first innings. With 62 in the first innings and trailing by huge runs, New Zealand had only probable chance to lose the contest. As India were not ready to chase any total on this wicket, it was a good decision on the part of the Indian camp not to force follow-on.
For New Zealand, it’s just the start of their second Test Championship competition. So the loss here in India is just the loss of a particular game and of course of a series. But they must cherish four points they gain at Green Park, Kanpur. They lost to a side which is extremely dominant at home. So they must move from here and should think about their middle order performance.
To Conclude
For India, it’s fine to get back to winning after that draw in Kanpur. Rohit Sharma’s emergence as the vice-captain of the test team sends a message to Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. As they were to tour South Africa, a new variant of Corona Virus, Omicron stopped the proceedings. Scheduled freshly on December 26, India gain some time to plan their middle order issue. As India eye South Africa tour for their first ever win in South Africa, at Gabba, Australia will start their WTC journey against England in Ashes 2021-22.