It took New Zealand just three days to wrap up the second test and with it the series against India. India’s batting woes were apparent in both their innings of the second Test in Christchurch – they were bowled out for 242 in the first innings and then 124 in the second.
India’s bowlers had done a good job on Day 2 by bowling the hosts out for 235, giving India a slim but a face-saving lead nonetheless of 7 runs. However, India’s batsmen once again failed to put up any fight.
By stumps on Day 2, India had already lost 6 wickets for a mere 90 runs – that gave them a lead of 97.
It took the Kiwi bowlers under an hour to dismiss the remaining four Indian batsmen on the morning of Day 3, resulting in a target of 132 for New Zealand to win.
A half century each for New Zealand’s openers Tom Latham (52 off 74 balls) and Tom Blundell (55 off 113 balls) meant that India pretty much saw any chance of a win slipping away right from the beginning.
Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah did manage to dismiss the two openers as well as skipper Kane Williamson, but it was far too late.
The Kiwis romped home to a 7-wicket win, making a clean sweep of the series 2-0, and moving to number 2 in the ICC Test rankings.