Five positives for India from the Indore Test Match
India completed an outstanding victory at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore beating New Zealand by a margin of 321 runs, winning the series 3-0 in the process. This is the second biggest win for India in terms of runs.
Indore, in its first ever Test match, played witness to a belligerent display by the Indians as they outplayed the Black Caps in all the departments of the game. In what was a complete performance, we look at five most pleasing aspects for the winners:
#5 Gambhir impresses in comeback Test
When Gautam Gambhir came into the squad after the first Test, many Indians were hoping he would get a game. And as luck had it, Shikhar Dhawan injured his thumb in the second Test, paving a way for the Delhi opener to make his international comeback after 2 years of exile.
He looked good in the first innings, pulling two Matt Henry deliveries over the square-leg boundary for sixes, but could not capitalize on a good start, as he was caught plumb by a Trent Boult delivery. Then, he injured his shoulder while fielding and it looked like his comeback would end in disappointment.
But the 34-year-old came out to bat in the second innings, and after another injury setback on Day 3, he absolutely stamped his authority on the Kiwis at a time when India needed quick runs on the fourth morning. He took the game to the New Zealand bowlers playing some exquisite cover drives and cut shots as he looked to up the ante. Soon he reached his half century, his 22nd in Tests.
He got out soon after looking to hit out against Jeetan Patel, but the team management will be pleased with this knock and so will he. Question marks persist about his new technique, with his open stance expected to cause trouble against balls that tail in, but his approach and mentality needs to be commended. It will be a good selection headache for the selectors ahead of the England series which starts next month.