By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Sep 3: Just when the rains seemed to be coming down to thwart India’s bid for a clean sweep of the India-New Zealand cricket series, there came rays of sunshine that sent the Kiwis back to the ground.  And back came the Indian batsmen to record a stunning victory with plenty to spare in the second Test at Bengaluru after having won the first Test at Hyderabad earlier.  With Virhat Kohli in splendid form there was nothing  to stop India from winning.  On a decisive day when the Indian batsmen played their hearts out in search of victory there was no hope whatsoever for the visiting New Zealanders. 

The second Test in Bengaluru seemed going anyone’s way on day 3 when New Zealand took a slender 12 run lead by skittling India out for  353 runs in the first innings in reply to New Zealand’s 365 runs.  But the Indians fought back and bundled out New Zealand for a paltry 248 runs in their second innings.  Star spinner R. Ashwin took 5 wickets in 69 runs amd also ran away with the ‘Man of the Series’ trophy.  With plenty of time, India were required to score 261 runs for victory.  Seasoned openers Sehwag (38 runs) and Gambhir (34 runs) started in T20 style and were hammering boundaries all over for a quickfire 77 run partnership   off 71 balls.  Steady contribution from youngster Pujara  with 48 useful runs meant that the task for the latter batsmen was made easy. 

Mr. Panic appeared for a while when   Raina returned back to the pavilion with a duck, but there was India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (48 not out) joining Virhat Kohli (51 not out) to take his team to victory.  With Kohli in splendid form and in no mood to relax, there were boundaries all around.  After his grand century (103 in 193 balls) in the first innings, Man of the Match Kohli remained unbeaten hitting 9 boundaries during his stay at the crease with a well deserved 51 runs in the second innings.  Skipper Dhoni finished the match with a winning sixer that sent the crowd into a frenzy.  In the process, Dhoni became one of the most successful captains ever with the highest number of wins for India in India.

Earlier in the first innings, New Zealand skipper Ross Taylor led from the front with a fine knock of  113 runs with the help of 16 fours and 2 sixes.  Pragyan Ojha took 5 wickets in 28.1 overs with Zaheer Khan getting 2 wickets.  Replying to New Zealand’s total of 365 runs, India replied with 353 runs with the help of  Kohli’s century knock.  Young kiwi pacer Tim Southee bowled brilliantly to pick 7 wickets in 24 overs. 

Just as New Zealand were looking like taking an upper hand, India had different plans that took the wind out of New Zealand’s second innings.  Having Ashwin turning viciously,  India were in the driver’s seat with just 261 runs  required for victory.  With more than a day to spare, India never looked back and went about in businesslike fashion to record a convincing victory by 5 wickets. 

With the Test series going India’s way, New Zealand have a chance to redeem themselves in the 2 T20 matches that will be played in Vishakapatnam and Chennai shortly.  But with the ICC T20 World Cup due shortly in Sri Lanka, India will be eager to show their firepower as their players get ready to maul the Kiwis.  With Sehwag and Kohli in sizzling form, the next few months are going to be tough for any team that wants to upset the Indians who seem to be a fine nick and pretty keen too which is a welcome change from the teams of the past. 

There is a refreshingly young look about the team and the confidence one sees augurs well for TEAM INDIA as they move to the top of the rankings. With players like Kohli, Raina, Pujara, Ashwin and others emerging to performa creditably with the fine captaincy of Dhoni, it looks like TEAM INDIA is back on the winning track.