Virat Kohli, the Indian skipper on Monday became the first player to record 50 international wins in each format of the game. Virat Kohli achieved the feat after India defeated New Zealand by 372 runs in the second Test of the two-match series here at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday.
With this win, Team India is back to the number 1 spot in ICC Test rankings. The victory over New Zealand also means India sealed the two-match series 1-0, and now Virat Kohli’s side will head to South Africa for three Tests and three ODIs, beginning December 26. The 4 T20Is scheduled alongside Tests and ODIs will be held on the next tour.
Virat Kohli Became First Cricketer To Win 50 Matches In Each Format
India captain Virat Kohli, who was rested from the series opener, made his comeback in the 2nd Test played at the Wankhede Stadium. He led his team to a dominating performance which was his 50th Test win as a player. He thus became the first-ever cricketer to be part of 50 wins in each format of the game.
With this win, Team India is back to the number 1 spot in ICC Test rankings. The victory over New Zealand also means India sealed the two-match Test series 1-0.
“Congratulations @imVkohli. The first player with 50 international wins in each format of the game,” BCCI tweeted.
- Virat Kohli in Tests: 50 wins from 97 matches (2011 to 2021)
- Virat Kohli in ODIs: 153 wins in 254 matches (2008 to 2021)
- Virat Kohli in T20Is: 59 wins in 95 matches (2010 to 2021)
India defeated New Zealand by 372 runs which became their biggest ever Test win in terms of runs. The victory margin surpasses the previous record of 337 runs set against South Africa in 2015. This series win was India’s 14th consecutive Test series win at home.
Ravichandran Ashwin Became 2nd Ever Indian To Take 300 Scalps At Home
Resuming Day 4 at 140/5, overnight batters Rachin Ravindra (18) and Henry Nicholls managed to add just 22 more runs to the total before the former was scalped by Jayant Yadav and the visitors were staring down the barrel, still needing 378 runs for a win with just four wickets in hand.
In his very next over, Jayant Yadav dismissed Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee and it seemed that the hosts would wrap up the match before the lunch break on Day 4. The final two wickets also fell in quick succession and in the end, New Zealand was bowled out for 167, handing the hosts a 372-run win. Ravichandran Ashwin became the second-ever Indian to take 300 wickets at home after Anil Kumble.
The defeat also means that the Kiwis are still searching for their first Test win in India since 1988 which incidentally came at the Wankhede Stadium. Ajaz Patel will have mixed feelings despite his record haul of 14 wickets during the Test including a 10 wicket haul in the first innings. He finished the match with figures of 14/225 which is also the best performance by a bowler in a losing cause.
Jayant Yadav struck thrice in the first half-hour of the fourth morning and four times in nine legal deliveries to finish with career-best figures of 4 for 49, as India wrapped up their biggest win in terms of runs – 372 – and also handed New Zealand their biggest loss. Ravichandran Ashwin finished with 8 for 42 in the match and spinners lapped up 33 of the 36 wickets that fell to bowlers, apart from Tom Blundell’s run out on the third evening.
India 325 (Agarwal 150, Axar 52, Ajaz 10-119) and 276 for 7 declared (Agarwal 62, Ajaz 4-106) beat New Zealand 62 (Ashwin 4-8, Siraj 3-19) and 167 (Mitchell 60, Nicholls 44, Ashwin 4-34, Jayant 4-49) by 372 runs