New Zealand beat India 2-0: List of key takeaways
What's the story
New Zealand thrashed India by 7 wickets in the second Test in Christchurch to clinch the Test series 2-0. The number one Test side was outplayed by the hosts in all departments in the match. Besides, it has been a remarkable turnaround for the Kiwis since they were cleaned up 0-5 by India in the T20I series. Here are the key takeaways.
Match details
How did the Test match pan out?
The Indian middle-order yet again stumbled as New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson put India into bat. Fifties from Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari guided India to 242. The visitors took a slender 7-run lead as the Kiwis were bundled out for 235. India could only muster 124 in the second innings. New Zealand chased a nominal 132-run target with ease.
Kohli's form
Kohli could only muster 38 runs in 4 Test innings
Indian captain Virat Kohli was completely out of shape in the New Zealand tour, especially the Tests. His score in the two Tests read as - 19, 2, 14, and 3. He averaged 9.50 in the Test series, his lowest overseas. This is only the second time when he hasn't cross the 20-run mark even once in a Test series (2 or more Tests).
Rishabh Pant
Pant's batting graph has plunged across formats
Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant looks completely jeopardized at the moment. He has not been at his best since the Australia ODI series wherein the management backed KL Rahul. The southpaw was beaten all ends up in the recently concluded Test series, having scored only 60 runs from 4 innings. Since August 2019, Pant has scored 118 runs in 7 Test innings.
Bowlers' assault
New Zealand bowlers were all guns blazing in the series
The Kiwi bowlers were right on the money throughout the two Tests. They consistently tested the batsmen and deprived India with the 200-mark thrice in the series. Tim Southee, who was the adjudged the Player of the Series, claimed 14 scalps in two Tests. His compatriot Trent Boult was the second highest wicket-taker of the series with 11 wickets, followed by Kyle Jamieson (9).
Tail-enders
Indian bowlers were unable to blow off the tail
India's inability to clean up the lower order batsmen has been an alarming cause lately. In the first Test, the visitors let New Zealand's tail add 123 runs after the hosts were reeling at 225/7 in the first innings. Those crucial runs made all the difference for Kiwis. The Christchurch Test witnessed more of the same as their last four batsmen added 71 runs.