India’s impressive show in Tests continued as they won the third and final Test by 321 runs against New Zealand to win the three-match Test series by 3-0.
Just like the previous two Tests, New Zealand bowlers took the upper hand in the initial phase of the match by reducing the hosts for 100 for 3. But a 365-runs partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli saw India taking the upper hand in the match. India declared their first innings by scoring a mammoth 557 runs. In reply, New Zealand began brilliantly after their openers added 118 runs for the first wicket but their innings was derailed by Ashwin’s 20th five-wicket haul. The off-spinner took 6 for 81 as the visitors were bundled for only 299 runs. In the second innings, India scored 216 with the help of century from Cheteshwar Pujara and a fifty from comeback man Gautam Gambhir, setting New Zealand an improbable target of 475 runs.
Chasing such a huge target, New Zealand never looked in contention as they were losing wickets at regular intervals. They were eventually all out for 153 to hand India a massive win. Ashwin once again starred with the ball as he took 7 wickets.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the match:
What's wrong with people who rate NZ on par with England and Aus in Test cricket?
— Nishith (@Nicks103) October 11, 2016
What a shit test series. New Zealand completely clueless against the spin. Expect the odis to be bit more competitive #INDvsNZ
— ⚔️ ☬ (@ThatGuyJSR) October 11, 2016
Working overtime is not really an Indian thing #INDvNZ
— Mayank Verma (@vmayank87) October 11, 2016
@ashwinravi99 well done. btw,thank your primary school maths teacher for starting your numerals from 5. @bcci @StarSportsIndia @TNCACricket
— W V Raman (@wvraman) October 11, 2016
Well done team @BCCI. Winning with a clean sweep #INDvNZ Test Series is a domination. Congratulations! To to all ????
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) October 11, 2016
Harbhajan Singh reacts after another 5-wicket haul for Ashwin #indvsnz #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/JJUW8Y1eV7
— Nishith (@Nicks103) October 11, 2016
Virat Kohli said before the Test that the team want to win every Test and they are doing in style… This team will Go distance!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 11, 2016
Plan a #NZvWI Test series in India, three matches be done in five days.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) October 11, 2016
NZ has been practising too well not to throw wicket to anyone but Ashwin.
Amazing @ashwinravi99 #indvsnz #IndWhiteWashedNz— Mr. Blue (@shiveshranjan7) October 11, 2016
Too much for everything is bad, we were told. Clearly not with wickets for @ashwinravi99
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 11, 2016
What's Ashwin doing out??? Making mockery off Test cricket#INDvNZ
— Gopal (@gopal2709) October 11, 2016
Kane Williamson mode of dismissal in this series:
Bowled: Ashwin
LBW: Ashwin
Bowled: Ashwin
LBW: Ashwin— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) October 11, 2016
Ashwin's 21st 5 wicket haul in 39 tests. Harbhajan took 25 5fors in his 103 tests. #JustSaying #indvsnz
— Рramod. (@Cric_Pramod) October 11, 2016
Someday when we overcome our obsession for batting heroes, we will realize Ashwin's contribution to the INDIAN cricket.
— AJAY (@AJsmilemerchant) October 11, 2016
Amazing Fact :-
Yesterday Ashwin taken his 20th five Wicket haul
Today Ashwin taken his 21st five Wicket haul #Cricket #INDvNZ
— Rajesh Khilare (@Cricrajeshpk) October 11, 2016
Death, Taxes and Ashwin taking a five-for in a Test innings in India. ??? Inevitable. #respect #IndvsNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 10, 2016
Most runs in series for Pujara. Could have won Man of series, but Ashwin inscribes his name on that trophy before start of series these days
— cricBC (@cricBC) October 11, 2016
Entire NZ batting decides to do a Ross Taylor and gift a free shopping day for wives n GFs! Pathetic way to lose #indvsnz series -one sided
— rajan mahan (@rajanmahan) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/romillodaya1/status/785794115371798528
WTF are you Ashwin #indvsnz
— Vikrant (@vikkyinabox) October 11, 2016
@ashwinravi99 is VK of Indian bowling! ain't easy picking up 5fers just 4 fun #INDvsNZ @BCCI #Ashwin legend in d making! Macha Kalakra dai.
— SSB (@SinghaOSingha) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/785748938410254336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Not many could've been off the radar for years & made a comeback like @GautamGambhir Even then a knock for the team more dan himself #IndvNz
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) October 11, 2016
Shifted gears swiftly…played a different brand of cricket. Did what the team wanted. Reward–8th Test ton. Well played, Che Pujara #INDvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/emceeaarjay/status/785749119088242688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
There was a sense if inevitability about a @cheteshwar1 century so good has been his form this series. Terrific show by Indian batsmen again
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 11, 2016