India crush New Zealand to reclaim top ranking
India have reclaimed the No 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings after defeating New Zealand by 178 runs in the second test on Monday.
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Hosts India took an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Monday by crushing New Zealand 178 runs in the second test.
Chasing 376 for victory, the touring side collapsed to 197 in fading light on the fourth day at Eden Gardens.
Despite a promising start, New Zealand's Tom Latham who opened with a gritty 74, eventually succumbed to spinner Ravichandran Aswhin.
India's bowlers indeed stole the show. Together with Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami also picked up three wickets.
The writing was on the wall when Luke Ronchu played on for 32 off Jadeja, who also accounted for Matt Henry (18) with Virat Kohli taking a sharp catch at short cover.
Points gained from victories in the Kanpur and Kolkata Tests now see Virat Kohli's team move past Pakistan and back to the top spot, which it had briefly held onto in August.
Pakistan are now at second place, followed by Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
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