Kabaddi World Cup 2016: India top force in Kabaddi but can we stay there

Amidst all the headlines that are being grabbed the Line of Control and the assorted chest thumping and head banging that goes along, it’s nice to shift to stuff that is little more innocent and even funny.

For those participating in the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad, it may be serious business, but truth be told, it will take long time before staged tournaments in front of even more staged crowds really grab the attention of the world. That being said, it’s still quite fascinating to see who all is playing a game we thought was restricted to rural games at its basic form, to demonstration game in India.

It did qualify as almost a guaranteed gold medal for India at the Asian Games. But the final at Incheon Asiad in the October of 2014 showed us that it was no longer a given. Iran ran India ragged and it was sheer inexperience and youthful exuberance that cost them the gold medal.

The world was changing on the kabaddi court, and the World Cup being played now shows the signs. This won’t be the first sport where national ascendancy has been sacrificed at the altar of broadcasters’ need for making money.
So we had the Pro Kabaddi Premier League (can someone at least be original about naming these tournament?) and players from all corners began coming into the fold. We had Koreans, we had Iranians, and soon it was quite the League of Nations. The results were there for all to see.

India lost to Korea in the very first match and it no longer was the cakewalk it was predicted to be. Quite fascinating, the spread of teams. Apart from the hosts, Korea and Iran, we have sides from countries like Kenya, the US, Poland, England, Australia, Thailand and even Argentina!

One really wonders where and how this sport got to those distant lands. Would be quite fascinating to find out how they play these games there.

This is quite like hockey actually. For decades, no one could touch India. Then, for a decade almost, India couldn’t touch anyone. Incidentally, there was a Hockey Premier League too.

So is kabaddi headed that way? Will we soon see India succumb to the patriarchal and complacent culture of the sport in India being overtaken by the world? Will the rules change? Will the raiders soon have to chant “buddy, buddy, buddy” because the Big Three (the moneyed class) can’t pronounce “kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi”?

You think that’s funny? Have you seen how the rules have changed in hockey? All because the money folk can’t dribble!

Make no mistake, India’s domination of the kabaddi courts is a limited offer deal. We will soon be giving ground to some countries. And once they become successful, things may change. That would be interesting to watch.

The numbers game: Much hue and cry going on nowadays about India becoming the No. 1 Test side in the world. As things go in terms of being the top team, that’s all good. If there is a list, never mind how insignificant of short, it’s still nice to be on top. What else is there celebrate?

The ICC mace, the sign of supremacy in Test cricket, was handed over to Virat Kohli, quite dramatically on Dussehra day, as good overcame evil with an assortment of weapons, including the mace. India have vanquished all, but most of those defeated really didn’t have the ammunition to be a realistic challenge.

If the West Indies series was a calculation point, or even the just-concluded New Zealand series, then the mace isn’t as potent as it looks. Simply because the opposition barely passed muster. The real challenge is still to come. England will be way tougher, as will Australia, though the Aussies are really facing the heat in South Africa.

England have shown in Bangladesh that they are pretty well equipped for the limited-overs format. Not quite the Test format, but with Alastair Cook coming back to head things, it will be quite the show.

As of now, the Indian bowling is having a field day, especially since Kohli just refuses to lose any tosses. But there will be such days. There will be days when batsmen like Cook will big in and just not get out. There will be days when the powerhouses of our bowling attack – Ravichandran Ashwin and the surprising Ravindra Jadeja – will be attacked an punished.

There will be days when we will have to chase 300-plus with a day and bit left. Those will be the days when we will know what the thing is about being No. 1.

Who hasn’t been on top of the ICC rankings? As far as my recollection goes, six of the nine Test-playing countries have at some time or the other been top guns. The only thing about being on top of any list is the devilishly difficult job of staying there. So let’s focus on staying on the ground and winning stuff, shall we? That tops every chart.

Pakistan vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1 at Dubai

End of first Day

It's been Pakistan through and through! What a way to start a landmark Test! Woeful from West Indies as they just couldn't find ways to pick wickets. The only one to fall in the last session, when Sami Aslam fell 10 short of a maiden Test century. His partner, however, didn't miss the opportunity to become the first centurion in a Day-Night Test. He didn't stop at that and finished unbeaten on 146. Once Aslam fell, Asad Shafiq arrived and put on an unbeaten stand with Azhar. It was a long day in the field for West Indies, who will hope for a better outing on Friday.

Sami Aslam falls 10 short of a maiden Test century! He has been bowled by Ronston Chase. The left-hander attempted a sweep shot, but the ball dips and makes him stretch further ahead. The result is an underedge that guides the balls onto the stumps. Pakistan 215 for 1

100 for Azhar Ali! He becomes the first centurion in a Day-Night Test. He gets there off 184 balls and has 10 fours to his name. He's down on his knees in celebration. The Pakistan domination on Day 1 continues as they reach 191 for no wicket in 62 overs

There was a bit of excitement in the middle as West Indies took a review against Aslam after an appeal for LBW was turned down. The HawkEye, though, rather surprisingly suggested that the ball would miss the leg-stump. Maybe the angle from round the wicket didn't help Bishoo's cause.


Other than that close shout, Aslam and Azhar were hardly troubled. Both of them are also nearing their respective hundreds. At Dinner on Day 1, Pakistan held all the aces

There is a little bit of grip for the spinners, but West Indies' slow bowlers have struggled to find the right length. Meanwhile, Gabriel, the sturdy pacer, was introduced into the attack. The 28-year-old bowled with a fair amount of pace, but offered enough width for Azhar to crack impressive shots through the offside.

Sami Aslam completed a well-measured fifty. He mixed caution with aggression in equal measure to frustrate the West Indies' bowling line-up. The left-handed batsman also used the depth of the crease to handle the spinners well.

Azhar too compiled his fifty as the duo shared a century stand for the opening wicket. West Indies need inspiration from somewhere in the field to make a comeback. Maybe a great catch or a direct-hit?

Jason Holder took a review for an LBW against Azhar Ali immediately after the first session. However, replays clearly indicated that the ball would miss the leg-stump. Hence, the original decision stayed. Holder is getting a few to nip back off the seam.

Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam teamed up to share an unbeaten stand of 81 for the opening wicket to steer Pakistan to Tea in the day-night Test played in Dubai. The duo gauged the conditions before unfurling a volley shots against the spinners.


Cummins was the best bowler on show for West Indies and also created a chance by inducing Azhar Ali to play a half-hearted cut shot, but Leon Johnson in the slip cordon couldn't hold onto the catch.


West Indies need a slew of wickets to chart a comeback in this match. However, their bowling has been below-par so far and to make matters worse, the pitch isn't offering any assistance for either the pacers or spinners.

The pink ball has held up well, but the dew factor might come into play later on in the day.

Pakistan already seem to be in the ascendancy. Holder introduced Kraigg Brathwaite and Bishoo into the attack, but both of them were below-par. Aslam took advantage of it by lifting Brathwaite down the ground for a couple of fours, while Azhar rocked back to cut Bishoo behind the square on the off-side. West Indies need wickets. If not, this could turn out to be a long day in the field.

 Eventually, West Indies created a chance with Azhar Ali playing a half-hearted cut shot off Miguel Cummins, but Leon Johnson stationed in the slip cordon was perhaps not anticipating it. As a result, the ball burst through his hands. Hands on head moment for the Barbados pacer.

Sami Aslam, in particular, looked in fine fettle as he used a good stride to defend the pacers and rotated the strike. The left-handed batsman also showed pluck and determination in England to keep out the duo of Anderson and Broad and notch up fifties at Edgbaston. He has a bright future ahead of him. Meanwhile, Jason Holder introduced himself into the attack and bowled with good discipline.

Both Miguel Cummins and Shannon Gabriel extracted movement off the seam to trouble the openers. Cummins even had a leg-before shout against Aslam turned down. On replays, it was clear that the ball had pitched outside the line of leg-stump. The seam of the pink Kookaburra ball is harder and both the pacers are extracting a bit of bounce with the new ball.

Toss:  Pakistan win crucial toss

"The pitch in Dubai is as usual. Pakistan love to bat. It is so dry and so perfect for batting. It usually spins," reckoned Bajid Khan
 
Pakistan won a crucial toss and opted to bat. The hosts handed out Test debuts to Mohammad Nawaz and Babar Azam, while West Indies picked Davandra Bishoo as the lone spinner.

Teams:

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite, Leon Johnson, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Devendra Bishoo, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel

Pakistan 391/2 (120.0 Ovs)

South Africa vs Australia, 5th ODI at Cape Town

South Africa have completed the whitewash as Scott Boland becomes the third Australian batsman to be run-out. Australia have been bowled out for 298, falling short by 31 runs. It was Warner and Warner alone who had kept Australia in the hunt. But in the end, the hosts were far better as a team and righfully triumphed. They won the series 5-0, registering their fourth clean sweep in a five-match ODI series.

Warner has been awarded the Man of the Match, while Rilee Rossouw has been handed the Man of the Series award.

Ah, it's Imran Tahir who has the last laugh. Coming in from deep point, the legspinner makes a sharp throw to the wicketkeeper and finds David Warner short of the crease in an attempt to take an unlikely two. The Australian opener has walked back to the pavilion holding his bat high to a crowd that is standing up in applause. But this should be it for Australia's challenge of avoiding a whitewash.

Joe Mennie is the number eight batsman to fall after Faf du Plessis gets him run out, but David Warner is single-handedly keeping Australia in chase. The Australian opener has brought up his 150. Even as Australia are seeing this game slip out of their hands with each passing over, the team has stood up in the dressing room to applaud a fine innings by their vice-captain.

Kyle Abbott, it's that man again. He strikes his second blow as South Africa are slowly pushing Australia away from challenging their total. Matthew Wade departs edging the ball to Quinton de Kock.

Kyle Abbott, the star of South AFrica's win in the last match has struck at the right moment. Travis Head goes for a pull, but ends up skiing the ball high to allow Quinton de Kock to take an easy catch. Will this wicket help South Africa claw back into the contest?

David Warner and Travis Head have put on a crucial partnership and kept Australia in this chase. The partnership is flourishing well and has got the match well poised for an exciting finish. Meanwhile, there are some heated words being exchanged between Imran Tahir and David Warner in the middle.

Almost unnoticed alongside the struggle of the other batsmen, David Warner has moved on to score yet another century. The left-handed opener has almost single-handedly kept Australia on course of this record chase.


Kagiso Rabada has had a rough day. After Warner was dropped by Quinton de Kock, Mitchell Marsh too got a life when Kyle Abbott failed to hold on to a catch at fine leg. Nonetheless, Rabada finally had the better of Marsh as he managed to uproot his stumps. Fourth wicket down for Australia and all four are bowled. The pacer is getting some much nedded hugs from his teammates.

Australia are tottering in the chase after losing their third wicket in quick succession. George Bailey chops Andil phehlukwayo's delivery back on to the stumps and reduce the tourists to 75 for 3. The scoring rate has come down and even David Warner is struggling to middle the ball after reaching his fifty. The left-hander remains the key if Australia are to avoid the embarrassment of a whitewash.

It's the second breakthrough of the over. Imran Tahir castles skipper Steve Smith with a quicker one and goes on a celebratory sprint. The legspinner doesn't leave an opportunity to celebrate. No 2 for South Africa and they are right back in the game.

Aaron Finch's troubled stay at the crease comes to an end after he is undone by Imran Tahir's slider. Even as the right-hander wasn't causing much trouble, the hosts were in desperate need of a breakthrough. Maybe, this wicket should help them claw their way back in the game.

After a bit of a tentative start, David Warner has taken the attack on Dale, who has been brought in as the first change bowler. The pacer is smashed for three boundaries by Warner off his first four deliveries. Warner was dropped in the previous over by Quinton de Kock behind the wicket. It may have been a tough catch attempted by the keeper. But had he let it go, it would gone straight in the hands of Hashim Amla at first slip.

A six by Kagiso Rabada and a boundary by Dale Steyn helped South Africa reach 327 for 8 at the end of their 50 overs. It will be a difficult chase for Australia. But they have the firepower in their batting to overhaul the total. If they do so, it will be the highest successful chase at Newlands, Cape Town.

Australia are hitting with some wickets late in the innings. Andile Phehlukwayo, David Miller and Kyle Abbott have made their way to the dressing room in quick succession. Nonetheless, that shouldn't hurt them much. With less than two overs remaining, they would be looking for some additional runs to put pressure on Australia. Maybe a few edges running down for boundaries. Anything that can frutrate the opposition going into the innings break.

Rilee Rossouw has departed after a fine knock. He holed out to Mitchell Marsh at long on. The left-hander raises his bat to the crowd on the way to the dressing room. Meanwhile, David Miller is going along well even as the pitch has become a little difficult for batting

While JP Duminy, in his attempt to push the accelerator, departed after putting on a superb 178-run stand for the fourth wicket, Rilee Rossouw has reached his century faster than run a ball. David Miller has come in. And if he manages to play on for the next 10 overs, Australians are in for a leather hunt.

JP Duminy and Rilee Rossouw have continued the kind of form they have displayed throughout the series. Both the left-handers have played an attacking innings and helped the hosts cross the 100-run mark with ease, in the 18th over.

It's turning out to be a good day for Joe Mennie. Brought into this match in place of John Hastings the pacer has struck for the second time in the match. Faf du Plessis goes for a expansive drive and is clean bowled. After having conceded 82 runs in his first match, this is turning out to quite a pleasant outing on the field. Meanwhile, South Africa have lost their third wicket. Not the kind of starts they have used to in the series so far.

Faf du Plessis, South Africa skipper, won the toss and elected to field in the fifth One-Day International against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town. The hosts have brought Imran Tahir and David Miller back into the side. Left-armer Tabraiz Shamsi, who had an impressive outing in the last match, has been left out.
Australia have made only one change to their side. Joe Mennie has come in for John Hastings.

South Africa 327/8
Australia 296/10 (48.2 Ovs)

Bangladesh vs England 3rd ODI

Oh! This young England team plays with spunk and spirit. In the 3rd ODI, the visitors yet again showed that they are now a force to reckon with in the limited-overs format as they overcame an energetic Bangladesh team to win the hard-fought series 2-1.

Vince, Duckett and Billings laid the platform with enterprising knocks. However, Duckett's wicket triggered a mini collapse, only for Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes to steer them home.

Stokes played with calmness and when needed, crunched a few lusty blows in the slog overs, while Woakes kept the ball mostly along the ground. It was a partnership that broke Bangladesh's fans hopes.
Bangladesh still would be proud of the way they fought throughout the match. In fact, they have performed creditably at home in the last few years, having won six ODI series in a row.

The duo of Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler calmed down the nerves in the England camp by combining eye-catching shots and pinching quick singles. However, Mortaza castled Buttler with a slower one to keep Bangladesh in the hunt. Buttler, arguably England's best batsman, aimed to slog a slower one from the Bangladesh captain but could only chop it onto the stumps.

The topsy-turvy third ODI has thrown up quite a few surprises. Moeen Ali, the England allrounder, spooned an easy catch to the mid-on fielder off Mortaza. The Bangladesh captain has been superb for the hosts in this series and might just help them to sneak in home.

Duckett, in his short career, has shown a penchant to essay cheeky scoops. However, this around, the shot turned out to be his undoing. The credit has to go to Mushfiqur, the wicket-keeper, for anticipating wonderfully well. As soon as Duckett shuffled across the stumps, Rahim moved to his right and then gobbled up the catch inches above the ground. The match is tantalizingly poised and it could turn out to be another of those humdingers.

Ben Duckett continued to impress. The Northamptonshire youngster crunched his second half-century of his fledgling career. It has been another sure-footed innings from the left-hander. He rotated the strike with singles and twos and when needed thumped the big shot.


Just in the nick of though, Shafiul castled Bairstow, with the right-handed batsman paying the price for attempting an ugly hoick.

After composing an entertaining fifty, Billings was dislodged by Mosaddek Hossain. It felt as if the aggressive batsman was getting frustrated. Eventually, he tried one shot too many and top-edged a sweep off Mosaddek Hossain to deep backward square leg. Bangladesh needed that wicket.

Sam Billings is certainly a batsman to watch out for. The right-hander from Kent blends orthodox shots with innovation in equal measure. In this innings, too, he cracked some powerful strokes, sprinkled with reverse sweeps to net in his maiden ODI fifty. He seems to have the required skills and temperament to make it big at the highest level.

Nasir Hossain eventually picked up the first scalp for Bangladesh. Vince aimed to nudge the offspinner into the on-side and missed it. The loud appeal for LBW was answered in the affirmative. It was clear that the batsman was hit in front of the stumps.


Billings, however, continued to play with bravado. He even swept Mortaza for a six over backward square leg.

Vince and Billings gave a good account of themselves in the early overs. Vince, in particular, checked in some fine drives. The ball is skidding onto the bat and that might help out England.


There was also a bit of drama in the middle as Billings bumped into Mortaza as he looked to steal the second run. The Bangladesh captain didn't back away either. Vince, at the other end, would have been dismissed, if there was a better throw from Shafiul. This is turning into a feisty contest.

Mushfiqur Rahim bailed Bangladesh out of a slightly tricky situation with a well-paced fifty to ensure they would end up with more than just a competitive total. The wicket-keeper-batsman allied some powerful hits with cheeky shots to up the ante. He also got a reprieve as Ben Stokes dropped a tough chance at long-off.


At the other end, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat used the depth of the crease to crunch crucial blows square on the off-side. The track is aiding the spinners and a target of 278 could very well turn out to be an uphill task for the visitors.

Another ordinary delivery has helped Rashid to bag his fourth wicket. It was a full toss and begging to be dispatched, but Nasir Hossain crunched it straight to the man positioned at mid-wicket. James Vince gleefully accepted the chance. Rashid perhaps could buy a lottery today.

Shakib walks back to the pavilion as he has been stumped by Jos Buttler. It was a slightly freakish dismissal as Moeen Ali beat the left-hander with the one that turned away from him. As Shakib also lunged forward, his back-heel was dragged out of the crease.

Buttler couldn't collect it cleanly, but it deflected off his gloves and onto the stumps. Nice piece of bowling though from Moeen as he dragged the batsman out of the crease.

It looks like rain has relented for the time being and the match will start on time. England won the toss and opted to bowl. The hosts have picked an unchanged XI, while Billings and Plunkett replace Roy and Willey for England.

BAN 277/6 (50.0 Ovs)

ENG 278/6 (47.5 Ovs)

ICC All Teams Ranking ,Test, ODI,T20

ICC Test Ranking

ICC ODI Ranking

 ICC T20 Ranking

 

India climb to top of the Test rankings, presented with ICC Test Championship mace

India regained the ICC Test rankings officially after winning the Indore Test against New Zealand by a massive 321 run margin.

India captain Virat Kohli was on Tuesday presented with the ICC Test Championship mace for leading his team to the top of the Test Team Rankings. The mace was presented by former India captain and ICC
Cricket Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar at a ceremony following the team’s sublime 321 run win against New Zealand in Indore that also ensured a 3-0 whitewash – first for Virat Kohli-led side.

India were already assured of finishing at the top of the MRF Tyres rankings after winning the second Test at Eden Gardens thus regaining the position from Pakistan who had climbed up post a 2-2 draw with England.

Since the rankings are only updated at the end of the series, India formally replaced Pakistan at the top of the table at the end of the Indore Test. “It’s an honour and a moment of great pride to receive the ICC Test Championship mace. To be recognised as the best in the traditional form of the game is as good as it gets for any team and stuff that dreams are made of,” Kohli said.

Kohli became only the second India captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and 10th overall to receive the mace, even though it is for the third time since Kohli took over as captain that India have led the rankings table.
India had topped the rankings very briefly in January-February this year as well as in August. India’s
longest stint at the number-one position was from November 2009 to August 2011 under Dhoni.

The other captains to have received the mace are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (both South Africa) and Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan).

Kohli credited his players for performing consistently to take the team to the top. “Individual performances are important, but in the end it is what those performances do for the team that matter. If we have been able to become the best in the world, it is because there is a lot of bonding among team members and there is always someone to raise his hand in a difficult situation. I think that is what makes a top side.


“I would like to thank all players and support staff, who have all been part of our team because I feel such an achievement is only possible with contribution from all quarters. To reach the top of the Test rankings takes a lot of hard work and perseverance,” the India captain said.


Kohli said playing Test cricket is an ambition for any cricketer and to be part of such a team is to be treasured. “We all grow up playing cricket, hoping to represent our country in Test cricket. But to be part of a team that does well continuously in Tests is something altogether different. I am confident we will continue to win matches at home as well as abroad in the coming seasons. I want this team to be
remembered as one of the finest Test teams ever,” Kohli said.


Gavaskar said such an accomplishment will be cherished for years to come. “I have always believed that Test cricket tests you in every way. To come out on top over a period of time and be acknowledged as the best in this format is a big achievement. It is a result of sustained efforts in different conditions.


“I have some fine memories of Test cricket from my playing days. Taking on a top team in Test cricket was what pumped us up and certainly something that I always looked forward to,” said Gavaskar.


“There may be three formats of the game now but every cricketer knows that the challenge that Test cricket presents is much more and calls for a different set of skills, grit and character. I congratulate Virat and his team for this fine achievement and wish them all success in the coming years.”


ICC Chief Executive David Richardson praised India for regaining the top spot within weeks of losing it to Pakistan. “I congratulate India for some fine performances which have helped it win the ICC Test

Championship mace during a great period for Test cricket. The number-one ranking has changed hands three times in as many months, indicative of the current competitiveness of Test cricket at the highest level, which is great for players and fans.


“With other sides in touching distance of the top, the MRF ICC Test rankings continue to provide great context for the traditional format of the game. I wish India the very best in their efforts to stay at number one,” Richardson said.


Only seven points separate the top four teams with second-ranked Pakistan (111), third-placed Australia (108) and fourth-placed England (108) all featuring in upcoming Test series.


Pakistan, which is playing the West Indies in a three-Test series in the UAE this month, is also due to tour New Zealand and Australia over the next few months. Other upcoming series include England and Australia’s tour of India and tours by South Africa and New Zealand to Australia.

Ranking List 

 

India Vs New Zeland 3rd Test India win by 321 runs

 India win by 321 runs

The fourth day started with all eyes on India's batting. There was only one way they were going to go and that was to push for quick runs and a declaration. They managed to do that through Cheteshwar Pujara's ton but the momentum was taken forward by Ravichandran Ashwin, yet again, as wickets fell in quick succession and New Zealand were bowled out in less than forty five overs, rather embarrassingly. In what is seemingly becoming a ritual these days, Ashwin bagged a ten-wicket haul to hasten the end and capped off a perfect day for India.

India started the day waiting for the track to wear out further and in the process look to score as many runs as possible. The bid was started by Pujara and Murali Vijay, but the latter didn't last too long, run out while being a trifle lazy in getting back to his crease. New Zealand were on the money with their fielding and tried to keep the intensity up with a string of dives and throws at the stumps which didn't allow the batsmen to relax.

But Gambhir and Pujara were prepared to counter it. The former, in particular, was a lot more attacking and got to a quick fifty, hitting six boundaries. He was good at working the spinners around and kept turning the strike over with ease. However, he found the man at extra cover while trying to get on top of Jeetan Patel. He had done his job though on comeback. Fighting past a shoulder injury, he kick-started the process of getting quick runs and also ensured that his return to the side didn't go unnoticed.

Pujara was not able to go at the same pace. He tried driving hard but regularly found the fielders. He was still good enough to get to his fifty just before Lunch as India went in with an overall lead of 385 runs.

The second session was where India were looking to switch gears. Virat Kohli was potentially the man to do the job but he was given out LBW for 17. Replays showed that the umpire had made a definite mistake in judgement. Kohli was struck outside off while missing a sweep against Patel. That didn't deter India too long.
Often criticised in recent times for having a poor strike-rate, Pujara showed that he had another gear at his disposal and took it upon himself to get the quick runs. His strike-rate moved close to 70 as he scored the second half of his century at close to run-a-ball. His running between the wickets along with a busy Rahane was excellent and New Zealand's run-saving plans weren't too successful with Pujara bringing out paddle sweeps and cut shots to get regular boundaries. India's lead swelled past 450 and they waited on for Pujara to get to his ton. The lead was already enough for them to declare and and soon after Pujara got to his eighth Test ton, India had enough of batting.

Pujara's 101 off 148 balls was clearly the highlight of the innings and India were now ready to have a go at New Zealand for a short while before the Tea break. The target of 475 was probably a little too high for the visitors to take an attempt at, but they had 135 overs to bat out to save the Test.

For that they would have wanted Tom Latham, their most consistent batsman of the series to bat long. Those hopes were scuttled when Umesh Yadav angled one in from around the wicket to trap him plumb in front. This was a plan that the seamers had been working on all series against Latham and it worked perfectly this time. The crowd was getting into the act by now, cheering louder than they had done all day. New Zealand went into Tea at 38 for one, with a mountain to climb.

To make matters worse, Kane Williamson was out in the second over after Tea to Ashwin (for the fourth time in the series) again for 27. He was looking to play Ashwin on the onside through this innings after being out three times in the series trying to jam him on the offside. This time though he was out off a very similar delivery that got him the previous three times - pitching on a good length wide outside off and spinning in sharply. Williamson looked to work it away on the onside but missed and was caught plumb in front. At 42 for two, New Zealand's hopes were dying a quick death. Martin Guptill gave a chance in the very next over, edging one from Jadeja but Rahane at slip was late to react to it.

By now, New Zealand and Ross Taylor in particular were aiming to reverse the pressure. The spinners were getting in on a roll and on a wearing pitch, it would have been impossible to keep defending. Taylor launched a counter-attack scoring a boundary-filled 32 but India and Ashwin weren't going to relent from attacking. Soon enough, Ashwin caught him missing a sweep and got him bowled. New Zealand were now 80 for three.

There was a change in approach with the bat but it wasn't working as well as they would have wanted to. The spin twins were in their elements now. The crowd was behind them, the batsmen were unsure of how the pitch was going to direct the ball, the fielders around the bat were ready to pounce on any mistake. Luke Ronchi got one that stayed low while turning in, becoming Ashwin's third victim. James Neesham chipped on gently to short mid wicket. At 103 for 5 in just 24 overs and with 21 more to go, New Zealand were in danger of not even lasting the day.

Jadeja ended Guptill's stay with a trademark delivery that went straight on. The end looked inevitable and could have come sooner had Santner not survived two close LBW calls against Mohammed Shami. But, he went for 14 as the seventh wicket with a slightly bemused look.

An Ashwin off-break went off the inside edge onto his pads before rolling onto the stumps. Ashwin had his sixth ten-wicket haul in Tests. He soon got his 21st five-fer as well and ended with a haul of 7 for 59, his best in a Test innings, as India completed a 3-0 sweep

Ashwin
What a machine India have at their disposal. He's just gobbling up wickets at will! He's gone three more, cleaning up Santner with a straighter one, dismissing Patel who tried to sweep a full ball and missed and then Matt Henry lobbed one to Mohammed Shami at mid-off. India are one wicket away from a series sweep.