India needed less than an hour’s play on Monday morning to take the last 5 New Zealand wickets and wrap up the 2nd Test. Jayant Yadav picked up 4 wickets and R Ashwin wrapped up the final wicket as India hammered New Zealand by 372 runs, their biggest-ever victory in terms of runs in Test cricket.

New Zealand, who were bundled out for 62, managed 167 in their second innings as they lost their last 5 wickets for just 27 runs on Day 4 morning. After holding fort to draw the first Test in Kanpur, New Zealand ran out of steam on a difficult Mumbai pitch where spinners ruled roost.

#TeamIndia win the 2nd Test by 372 runs to clinch the series 1-0.

Scorecard – https://t.co/KYV5Z1jAEM #INDvNZ @Paytm pic.twitter.com/uCdBEH4M6h

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2021

Despite Ajaz Patel picking up a record-setting tally of 14 wickets, New Zealand conceded the series as their batters failed to step up against a high-quality Indian attack. Ajaz became only the third bowler after Jim Laker and Anill Kumble in the history of Test cricket to pick up all 10 wickets in an inning but he became the first from the elite list to end up on the losing side.

India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Day 4 Highlights

INDIA STRETCH UNBEATEN RUN AT HOME

This was also India’s 14th successive Test series victory at home — a record-extending streak. Also, India have won each of their 11 Test series played under Virat Kohli’s captaincy at home.

India flaunted their bench strength yet again as they romped to a series victory over the world Test champions despite missing some of their regulars, including Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami for the series.

India have never lost a series at home to New Zealand in 14 meetings over the years. This was also India’s 4th successive Test series win over the Black Caps at home with the visitor’s last Test match win coming in 1988.

Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli have had a good start to their partnership as India downed the world Test champions in a dominant manner. Notably, Dravid had begun his stint as head coach, overseeing India’s 3-0 sweep of New Zealand in the T20I series last month.

JOB DONE IN 45 MINUTES

New Zealand began Monday’s play from their overnight score of 140 for 5. Rachin Ravindra and Henry Nicholls began on a solid note until Jayant Yadav got the breakthrough early in the day.

Jayant then went on a wicket-taking spree as he had the numbers of Kyle Jamieson (0) and Tim Southee (0) in the same over before returning to get Will Somerville.

R Ashwin wrapped things up by getting the wicket of Nicholls, who was the only player from the New Zealand team to bat out 100 balls or more in the Mumbai Test.

It was Ashwin’s 66th wicket in India-New Zealand Tests as he went past Richard Hadlee’s tally for the most wickets in the said contest. Ashwin also became only the 2nd Indian spinner after Anil Kumble to pick up 300 wickets at home.

MAYANK PUTS HIS HAND UP AS BIG GUNS FAIL

There was considerable pressure on Mayank Agarwal as speculation was rife that he would be dropped to accommodate Virat Kohli in the XI as the skipper returned after missing the Kanpur Test. However, an injury to Ajinkya Rahane meant Mayank retained his place.

He made the most of the chance that came his way as he scored nearly half of India’s first innings total on a Mumbai pitch that was offering plenty of assistance to spinners. It was his first Test hundred in 2 years as the opener punched the air in delight after getting past the 3-figure mark on Day 2 of the 2nd Test.

Mayank dominated New Zealand spinners, with his ability to skip down the track and hit the big ones with ease. He joined an elite list of India batters who have hit two fifty-plus scores as openers in a Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He has emulated the likes of Chetan Chauhan (52, 84 in 1978), Sunil Gavaskar (205, 73 in 1978) and Kris Srikkanth (71, 65 in 1987) after two fifty-plus scores at the iconic venue.

India will next take on South Africa in a 3-Test series. The much-anticipated tour was pushed back and will now start from December 26.