On top of the world

Lauding the all-round performance by his side, Kohli said runs scored by the lower-order batsmen, spearheaded by man-of-thematch Wriddhiman Saha, proved to be crucial. 

“Those extra runs in the end, Saha, and Bhuvi and Shami contributing in the end, was crucial. Saha was brilliant, he’s the best keeper in the country, he’s doing a great job in Test cricket. That hundred in the West Indies really improved his confidence, he understands how to bat with the tail now,” Kohli said. 

The India skipper also had some words of appreciation for the Eden Gardens pitch. “Lovely Test match, a brilliant Test wicket, apart from the variable bounce here and there, it will get better and better,” he said. 

Rohit Sharma, who top-scored in the second innings with 82, also came in for praise from Kohli. “First innings, we understood we threw it away with a few loose shots. Second innings, the New Zealand bowlers really put us under pressure. Really happy for Rohit as well; (he) stuck it out, handled the pressure really well, and you know his love affair with Eden,” Kohli said. “More than anything, the crowd helped us pick up those wickets today. Especially someone like Shami, running in, it makes a big difference to a bowler’s mindset,” he added. 

New Zealand’s stand-in skipper Ross Taylor also lauded the wicket, saying the team did not expect it. “Very impressive, the way the bowlers got stuck in hot, humid conditions, we put India under pressure, but credit to them for withstanding it with Saha contributing in both innings,” Taylor said. “To be honest, we thought the pitch would be different. A good cricket wicket, it’s just been relaid, and is going to get better and better.” 

India took a crucial first-innings lead of a little over hundred runs, which tilted the game in the home team’s favour. New Zealand tried to fight back by sending back three Indian batsmen quickly in their second innings, but Rohit and Saha stood firm. 

“I guess anytime you have a 112-run deficit, you’re always under pressure. We got some early wickets, but the partnership between Saha and Rohit took it away from us. I thought Tom Latham was outstanding today,” he added.

 

The all-India senior selection committee have named Karun Nair as the replacement for injured opener Shikhar Dhawan in the Indian Team for the third Test against New Zealand in Indore. Dhawan has been ruled out after he sustained a minor fracture on his left hand.