Considered a ‘smart’ cricketer, a spinner who always thinks before each delivery, Ravichandran Ashwin played a key role as India completed a solid whitewash on this day in 2016 beating New Zealand by 321 runs in the third Test of the series. Ashwin was on fire in Indore as the spinner recorded figures of 6/81 and 7/59 (13/140), the latter the spinner’s best Test figures so far in his career. Confident after winning the second Test by 178 runs and taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, it was only for Virat Kohli & Co to seal the series with a whitewash, cementing their dominance.
Kohli won the toss and elected to bat against Kane Williamson-led New Zealand. The openers included Murali Vijay (10) and Gautam Gambhir (29), who were not able to contribute much, Cheteshwar Pujara hanging on as usual while skipper Kohli was running out. India were 100/3 and in a position that needed saving. Kohli and deputy Ajinkya Rahane took the responsibility of scoring runs on the board, which they did as the captain hit a brilliant double century (211) while Rahane added 188 runs as India progressed. Rohit added another 51 runs before Kohli declared the day at 557/5.
New Zealand got off to a great start as openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham put on a 118-run partnership before Ashwin crashed the party, removing Latham in the form of a catch and bowled. The spinner was able to bowl to skipper Williamson, who was dismissed for just 8 runs and from there troubled the tourists. Guptill managed to score 72, however, an untimely run between the wickets sent the opener off after Ashwin was run out.
Ross Taylor and Luke Ronchi were both dismissed for ducks by Ashwin who managed to derail the top order. The spinner registered figures of 6/81 as New Zealand were bowled out for 299.
With a healthy lead, India decided to add to New Zealand’s misery, with Pujara scoring a scintillating 148-ball century. India once again declared the day at 216/3, setting a target of 475 for New Zealand to chase.
Staring at a huge target to chase, the tourists once again had to respond to Ashwin’s chants, wreaking havoc and creating chaos for New Zealand. Ashwin recorded figures of 7/59, his best figures in Test cricket, as India bowled out New Zealand for 153, winning the third Test by 321 runs and whitewashing the three-match Test series.
Ashwin was adjudged Man of the Match and Man of the Series as the spinner took 27 wickets in the series.
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