India continued their dream run in Test cricket as they sealed the three-match series against New Zealand after defeating them in the Kolkata Test by 178 runs on Monday.
The black caps, who were in pursuit of a 376-run target, couldn’t go past the score of 197 runs in front of Indian bowlers. Opener Tom Latham (74) was the highest scorer from the visiting team.
Coming out to chase the target set by India with almost two days in hand, NZ had a promising start with both the openers putting up a 55-run stand.
However, soon India bowlers took over and the NZ batting order collapsed.
Wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha was adjudged Man of the Match for his unbeaten half-centuries in both the innings.
For India, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets each, whereas Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed one of the NZ batsmen.
For skipper Virat Kohli, this is the fourth consecutive Test series. Also, it is the 12th consecutive Test for the captain without a loss.
The series win also paves way for India’s escalation to number 1 Test spot.
Earlier, resuming at 227 for eight, India were all out for 263 in their second innings.
Wriddhiman Saha, who had run out of partners in the first innings after scoring 54, once again anchored the lower order, remaining not out at 58 (120 balls, 6x4) -- his fourth Test half century.
