India vs New Zealand First Test: 5 Talking Points

The India vs New Zealand Test ended on Monday at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur with the hosts emerging triumphant with a margin of 197 runs. It was a convincing effort by them, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, who once again showed his prowess with the ball, picking up a 10-wicket haul in the game and breaking the barrier for the fastest Indian to 200 Test wickets.

Here are the five talking points from the Kanpur Test:

5.Luke Ronchi’s counterattack

Luke Ronchi was one of the best performers for the Kiwis in the second innings

After New Zealand had lost both Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor in the final session of Day four, they needed someone to see out the last bit of proceedings. Enter Luke Ronchi, who from the word go, showed the kind of application needed on a turning pitch, mixing his defense with attacking hits to the fence when the chance came, to ensure his side didn’t throw in the towel.

He put on 102 runs for the fifth wicket with Mitchell Santner, before falling to Ravindra Jadeja’s spin, for a 120-ball 80, that had 9 fours and a six.

With Martin Guptill failing to perform in both innings, Ronchi has made himself a strong candidate to open the innings in the Kolkata Test starting on Friday and if he does get that opportunity, he will look to deliver at the top of the order as well.