Former India opener Aakash Chopra said that Indian seamers out-bowling their New Zealand counterparts in the recently concluded three-match Test series is a great feeling and is unrivalled.
“Indian seamers out-bowled Kiwi seamers in the second Test. There can’t be a happier feeling than this,” Chopra tweeted.

Although Kiwi pacers – Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner – took more wickets combined (21) in the three matches, their Indian counterparts especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami effected more damage in their combined scalps of 14. Umesh Yadav picked up two wickets in his two Tests.

Chopra also lauded wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha for his contribution with the willow in the lower order which proved vital in winning the Eden Test. “All good teams have their wicketkeepers contributing with the bat…Saha’s knocks in Eden were special. Big gain.”

Watch: Ashwin spins India to whitewash New Zealand 3-0

India were heavily criticised last season for producing dust bowls at home and winning matches. This time, as Chopra wrote, the Virat Kohli-led side reached the summit of Test Championship rankings by playing on spin-friendly pitches. “Wins on a spinner friendly pitch (not a dust bowl), a seamer friendly pitch (Eden) and a nice batting surface (Indore),” tweeted the 39-year old who has played 10 Tests for the country.

The right-hander who was known to strap down and bat for long along with the dashing Virender Sehwag at the other end, concluded by lauding the efforts of the willowers in the third Test in Indore.

“One good batting surface (Indore) and Indian batsmen filled their boots. Shows hunger and resolve. Captain setting the standard with the bat,” the cricketer-turned commentator said.

India’s Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who set up the team’s thumping 178-run win in the second Test against New Zealand at Kolkata, made rapid strides in their respective International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings.

Stumper Wriddhiman, who scored half centuries in both the innings of the Test rose 18 spots to be positioned at No.56 in the ICC rankings for batsmen. His teammate Rohit, who rescued India’s second innings with a brilliant 82, gained 14 spots to find himself at the No.38 spot. In addition, middle order bat Cheteshwar Pujara, who remains the highest scorer so far in the series, also gained a spot to be placed at No.15. However, opener Murali Vijay slipped five spots to be No.21 after a poor outing in both the Tests against the Kiwis.

Among others, New Zealand’s Luke Ronchi and Tom Latham gained 12 and three places respectively to be placed at No.40 and 33, while B.J. Watling, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson slipped in their rankings. Australia skipper Steve Smith continues to lead the batsmen’s list followed by England’s Joe Root, who rose one spot to unsettle Williamson.

In the bowler’s list, medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who claimed his maiden five-wicket haul at home to guide India to an emphatic victory in the second Test, gained nine places to be placed at No.26 while his new ball partner Mohammed Shami also rose two spots to occupy the 23rd spot.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also gained one spot to be spotted at No.6 while his spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin slipped one place to find himself at No.3.

New Zealand pacer Matt Henry took giant leaps in the rankings chart gaining 16 spots to be placed at No.61 while his new ball partner Trent Boult exchanged places with his teammate Neil Wagner to take the No.9 and No.10 spots respectively.

South African veteran Dale Steyn continues to lead the bowler’s list with England’s James Anderson exchanging spots with Ashwin at the second and third spots respectively.

Among all-rounders, Jadeja slipped one place to No.4 with Ashwin continuing to lead the chart.