INDORE: India’s Test cricket team poses with the ICC Number 1 Test cricket team trophy, after winning the three Test cricket match series against New Zealand at The Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore yesterday. —AFP

INDORE: Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed seven wickets to lead India’s whitewash of New Zealand as the hosts romped to a 321- run victory on day four of the third and final Test yesterday. Ashwin with career-best match figures of 13-140 helped India skittle out the visitors, who were chasing a daunting 475-run target, for 153 in under two sessions of play at Indore.

Ashwin, the highest wicket-taker in the three Tests with 27 scalps, was named both man of the match and player of the series. India, who climbed to the top of the world Test rankings after their series-clinching win in Kolkata, remain in number one position ahead of Pakistan. New Zealand, whitewashed in India for the second successive time after their 2-0 loss in 2012, suffered an early blow when Umesh Yadav trapped opener Tom Latham lbw for six.

The visitors took tea on 38 for one but lost nine more wickets in the final session of play. “The bowlers have responded beautifully every time we’ve been in pressure. Someone has always put up their hand,” said Indian skipper Virat Kohli. “And that’s the difference: this team is up, we get wickets in bunches. We have that attitude and we do get the results.” Ashwin, who registered his 21st five-wicket haul in Tests, took charge in the evening session to remove skipper Kane Williamson for 27. It was the fourth time in a row that he had dismissed the Black Caps’ star batsman, who missed the second Test due to a viral infection. Ross Taylor showed some aggressive intent with 32 off 25 balls including five fours and a six, but did not last long before he was bowled by another Ashwin turner. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja soon joined forces with Ashwin to dash New Zealnd’s hopes of surviving the day after getting the all-important wickets of Martin Guptill and James Neesham. Ashwin then disposed of the tail as the hosts celebrated their 3-0 series triumph.

PUJARA HEROICS

Earlier in the day, a century by Cheteshwar Pujara had put the hosts on course to set New Zealand a daunting victory target at India’s newest Test venue, Indore’s Holkar Stadium. Pujara struck an unbeaten 101 as India, who started the day on 18 without loss, declared their second innings on 216 for three in the afternoon session. Pujara, who recorded his eight Test hundred, put on 76 for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir (50). “If you see Pujara hitting a fast bowler back over his head, it is the best example of expressing yourself. This is a proper team series win. It wasn’t just one individual,” said Kohli. India had already gained the upper hand after bowling out New Zealand for 299 in response to their massive first innings score of 557 for five declared. Kohli’s second Test double-century paved the way for India’s dominance as he registered his career-best score of 211. The star batsman put on a record 365-run fourth-wicket partnership with Ajinkya Rahane (188) to keep the New Zealand bowlers on the field for close to six sessions. “We wanted to show better cricket than we did, but full credit to India. They outplayed us in all areas and we have to weather these wounds,” said a disappointed Williamson. — AFP

Kohli receives mace after India tops Test rankings

Skipper Virat Kohli was yesterday presented with the ICC Test Championship mace as India were officially crowned the number one side after their 3-0 thrashing of New Zealand. India, who had reclaimed the top spot in the world Test rankings after taking an unassailable 2-0 series lead in Kolkata, won the third and final Test by 321 runs yesterday to consolidate their position.

Batting legend and ICC Hall of Famer Sunil Gavaskar presented Kohli with the mace on behalf of the International Cricket Council at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.

Kohli was only the second India captain after Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the 10th overall to receive the mace since its introduction in 2001.

The others are Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (Australia), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla (South Africa) and Misbahul- Haq (Pakistan).

India are now four points in the ratings above arch-rivals Pakistan, who enjoyed the top spot only briefly after Misbah received the mace last month in Lahore. “I’ve got a few Man of the Match awards, so have the boys. This is much more special. The last time India got the mace, I was watching on TV,” said a delighted Kohli. “The key right now is maintaining our game. We’re working really hard on the areas needing improvement and we’ve been able to correct the wrongs quickly and we’d like to continue that and give the people what they want to see.” India had replaced Australia at the top of the rankings after their series win against the West Indies in August, only to be leapfrogged by Pakistan later. “The number-one ranking has changed hands three times in as many months, indicative of the current competitiveness of Test cricket,” ICC chief executive Dave Richardson was quoted as saying in a release. —AFP