India reclaimed the top spot in ICC Test rankings and whitewashed New Zealand in the three-match Test series. The series victory proved to be a vital one for India as several players made a mark in terms of their individual performances. Let us look at the players who made significant contribution on this victory over the Kiwis.
Cheteshwar Pujara: He is one of the best batsmen in the current Indian Test team and seeing the way he has been playing, he may soon be counted among the finest in the world. Virat Kohli’s captaincy has definitely improved a player in him. He scored 140 runs in the first Test in Kanpur, 91 runs in the second Test in Kolkata and 142 runs in the third Test in Indore. His innings in the middle were instrumental in India’s success against the Kiwis.
Virat Kohli: His captainship in Indian cricket team's 3-0 win over of the Kiwis has earned him immense praise from the veterans, fans as well as fellow cricketers. Indian team reaching the top of the ICC Test team rankings has added another feather to his crown. India has 10 more Test matches scheduled at home until March 2017. India would want to consolidate their position in the longer format of the game. Virat Kohli’s captaincy would be indispensable in India maintaining its No.1 position in Test.
Ajinkya Rahane: Apart from Kohli, if we have to name one player who took away third test from Kiwis, it was Ajinkya Rahane. He completed his eighth century and third ton at home with his 188 at Indore. Kohli and Rahane placed india at a comfortable position past 300 from where Indians dominated the third test. He even scored 77 in the first inning of second test which played an important role in India winning the second test.
Ravichandran Ashwin: The offie proved to be the stand-out performer, picking up 27 wickets in the series which included three five-wicket hauls. The off-spinner ended up as the Man of the Series. Ashwin played an instrumental role in India’s thrashing of New Zealand. He is emerging out to be a fantastic all rounder as the Chennai bowler has been contributing with valuable runs down the order.
Ravindra Jadeja: Batsman always has a trouble playing against the spin in Indian conditions and the people like Rabindra Jadeja makes it more troublesome. In the first Test, New Zealand were 124 for 2 when Ravindra Jadeja’s five-wicket haul made them surrender at 262. His contribution with the bat is not less either. He scored 42 and an impressive 50 in 58 deliveries in the second inning of first Test. He took four wickets with an economy rate of 2.05 that shows his consistency in bowling. He again took four wickets in third Test which shows that under favourable spin bowling conditions, he is unplayable.
Rohit Sharma: Here is a batsman when playing in India almost always clicks, whether it is any format of the game. He scored 103 (both innings) in first Test. Though he failed in the first inning of second Test, he returned with a solid 82 in the second innings. His brilliant 51 complimented his captain's double ton and Ajinkya Rahane's 188 in third Test speaks volumes of what a classy batsman he is.
Gautam Gambhir: After his return to Indian Squad nearly after two years, he made 29 in the first 50 in the second innings of the third Test against Kiwis at Indore. India won by a huge margin of 321 runs. Gautam Gambhir has been continuously performing in first class cricket and was selected for New Zealand Test. However, he was not played in the second Test despite his selection. Gambhir only played in the third Test and yet justified his selection. In this way India could also find its opening pair crisis in the Test.