India beat NZ, take series

India’s captain Virat Kohli (centre) celebrates with teammates after winning the Test series against New Zealand in Mumbai. (AFP)

India’s spinners once again bared their fangs, sealing a record 372-run victory against New Zealand in the second and final Test at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday to secure a 14th consecutive series triumph at home. It was the biggest margin of victory by runs for India in a home match, eclipsing their 337-run win against South Africa in a Delhi Test in 2015. The 1-0 victory meant India have not lost a home series since their 2-1 defeat by England in 2012 and it also helped Virat Kohli’s side reclaim top spot in the Test rankings, pushing New Zealand to second. With the series victory, the hosts also avenged their loss to New Zealand in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship in Southampton in June. India’s spinners wasted little time in removing New Zealand’s remaining batters yesterday, sealing the victory in a little over three days on the spin-friendly track at the sun-bathed ground overlooking the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile India will play Test matches in Centurion, Johannesburg and Cape Town on their tour of South Africa which starts later this month, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced yesterday. The first world championship Test will start at SuperSport Park in Centurion on December 26.

FIXTURES Dec 26-30: Ist Test, Centurion Jan 3-7: 2nd Test, Johannesburg Jan 11-15: 3rd Test, Cape Town Jan 19: Ist ODI, Paarl Jan 21: 2nd ODI, Paarl Jan 23: 3rd ODI, Cape TownSCOREBOARD India 1st innings 325 New Zealand 1st innings 62 India 2nd innings 276-7 dec New Zealand 2nd innings (target 540) T. Latham lbw b Ashwin 6 W. Young c sub b Ashwin 20 D. Mitchell c Jayant b Axar 60 R. Taylor c Pujara b Ashwin 6 H. Nicholls st Shaha b Ashwin 44 T. Blundell run out 0 R. Ravindra c Pujara b Jayant 18 K. Jamieson lbw b Jayant 0 T. Southee b Jayant 0 Somerville c Agarwal b Jayant 1 A. Patel not out 0 Extras (b9, lb1, nb2) 12 Total (all out, 56.3 overs)  167 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-45, 3-55, 4-128, 5-129, 6-162, 7-165, 8-165, 9-167, 10-167 Bowling: Siraj 5-2-13-0, Ashwin 22.3-9-34-4, Axar 10-1-42-1, Jayant 14-4-49-4 (nb2), Umesh 5-1-19-0.