New Delhi: Indian cricket team became the No.1 side in Tests with a comprehensive 197-run win against New Zealand on Day 5 of the first Test match at Green Park. Chasing a mamoth 434-run target, Kane Williamson and his men were bowled out for 236. (SCORECARD | HIGHLIGHTS)


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WATCH: Ravichandran Ashwin's magic ball that bamboozled Kane Williamson on Day 3


Over 87.3 | Score 236/10 | (Boult 2*)


It's all over for New Zealand! Ashwin picked his sixth wicket of the match as his carrom ball hit Neil Wagner on the pads and the umpire had no doubts there. It is Ashwin's 19th 5-wicket haul in Test matches. He has been in sensational form for India in the last 14-15 months. Kohli would be very proud of the way his boys performed in the match.


N Wagner lbw b Ashwin 0 (12b)


Over 83 | Score 236/9 | (Sodhi 6*, Boult 1*)


Ashwin picked another wicket as he clean bowled Trent Boult. The ball was pitched on off-stump and it turned massively and crashed onto the stumps. India now just one wicket away from the win. It is also Ashwin's 19th 5-wicket haul.


Over 80 | Score 224/8 | (Sodhi 6*, Boult 1*)


Ashwin ended Santner's resilience when he bowled a peach of a delivery outside his leg-stump, which spun sharply into the left-hander, who had to play it, and nicked it to silly point. Ashwin is now just one-wicket away from another five-wicket haul. Trent Boult is the next man in.



MJ Santner c Sharma b Ashwin 71 (179b)


Over 73 | Score 205/7 | (Santner 57*, Sodhi 2*)


LUNCH: While New Zealand scored 112 runs in that session, India picked three wickets.


India have the momentum with them, courtesy those two wickets by Shami, else the Kiwis were in a decent position. Santner is playing a lone battle for his team. Despite being a frontline spinner, he has looked one of the best overseas batsmen ever to have toured India lately. Visitors still trail by 229 runs with three wickets remaining.


Over 70 | Score 187/5 | (Santner 50*, Sodhi 1*)


Shami picked his second wicket of the match when he bowled new batsman Mark Craig. It was a straight ball which kept a little low and crashed onto the stumps. Having picked a wicket off the last ball of his previous delivery, Shami was on a hat-trick but Ish Sodhi, the new batsman survived as an inswinger missed the off-stump. Superb bowling from Shami, he is bowling his heart out here.


MD Craig b Mohammed Shami 1 (2b)


Over 68 | Score 194/6 | (Santner 49*)


Mohammed Shami was reintroduced into the attack and he made an immediate impact as Watling was trapped in front of the wicket. Watling was beaten by pace and the ball hit him right in front of the wicket. Santner and Watling added 36 runs for the sixth wicket. Mark Craig is the new man in. He has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a side strain.


BJ Watling lbw b Mohammed Shami 18 (30b)


Over 65 | Score 187/5 | (Santner 42*, BJ Watling 18*)


After Ronchi's dismissal, Watling made sure the runs didn't dry as he has played some fantastic shots already. While Santner is batting superbly, he has already hit two sixes since the beginning of the day today. New Zealand might still be trailing by 247 runs, but it's great to see their batsmen showing positive intent. These two have added 29 runs for the sixth wicket so far.



Over 58 | Score 158/5 | (Santner 31*, BJ Watling 0*)


After a short drinks break, there was shift in momentum for the Indian cricket team as Luke Ronchi went for a big shot against the spin off Ravindra Jadeja, top edged it towards square where R Ashwin held on to an easy catch. That's a massive breakthrough for India. The 103-run stand for fifth wicket has finally come to an end. Nevertheless, it was a fantastic innings from Ronchi. BJ Watling is the next man in.


L Ronchi c Ashwin b Jadeja 80 (120b)


Over 55 | Score 154/4 | (Santner 31*, Ronchi 76*)


The frustration grows for the Indian camp as the Kiwi duo grow in confidence. It has been a wonderful counter-attack from these two, who haven't hesitated a bit in going for their strokes. The partnership is now worth 99 runs. Kohli desperate needs one of his bowlers to strike as soon as possible.


Over 50 | Score 119/4 | (Santner 19*, Ronchi 53*)


Ronchi played a superb cover drive off Ashwin to complete his fifty. A brilliant innings under pressure. Ronchi has the reputation of being a limited-overs specialist. But he has followed his ton in the warm-up game with a well-deserved fifty. He has been well supported by Santner from the other end. Every now and then, these two have hit some lusty blows as well. These two have now added unbeaten 63 runs for the fifth-wicket stand. Virat Kohli would be slightly worried with the way these two have batted since morning.


Over 45 | Score 107/4 | (Santner 13*, Ronchi 47*)


Both Ronchi and Santner are looking confident at the crease. India would be quite upset since they haven't picked a wicket in the first ten overs of the morning session. Good job by these two Kiwi batsmen so far.


Over 40 | Score 93/4 | (Santner 8*, Ronchi 38*)


As expected, Ashwin began the proceedings from one end while Jadeja accompanied him from the other end. Both the spinners have already receive good bounce and massive spin. It will be a test of character for both Santner and Ronchi. While Santner's role would be to block most of the deliveries, Ronchi might look to counter attack here.  


Overcast conditions at Green Park today. The forecast has predicted rain as well. India would be in a hurry to pick those six wickets.


The hosts were in driver's seat on Day 4 after having scalped four key wickets.


As a result of a brilliant unbeaten 100-run stand between Ravindra Jadeja (50*) and Rohit Sharma (68*), India posted a total of 377 runs in the first innings, giving New Zealand a mammoth 434-run target to chase.


Both Rohit and Jadeja played two brisk innings and Kohli declared the innings the moment Jadeja completed his half-century. (ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin becomes fastest Indian to take 200 Test wickets)



In reply, Kane Williamson's men were off to an awful start as Ashwin struck in the fourth over of the innings to remove Martin Guptill (0). The veteran off-spinner went on to pick two more key wickets of Tom Latham (2) and skipper Kane Williamson (25).


At stumps, Kiwis were wobbling at 93/4, trailing by 341 runs. (ALSO READ: WATCH: HILARIOUS! Ravindra Jadeja's reply to why new batsmen find it tough on turning tracks)


After they were reduced to 56/4, Mitchell Santner and Luke Ronchi resurrected the innings with an unbeaten 37-run stand.