The New Zealand tour of India finished with a thumping win for the home side. India won the two-Test match series 1-0, to go with their 3-0 victory in the T20I series. Although they return without a win, five New Zealand players feature in our combined XI.
Tom Latham
Runs: 163 @ 40.75, HS 95
The only New Zealand batter who came close to a three-figure score in the series, Latham employed the sweep to good use against the India spinners at Kanpur. Batting over 70 overs in the first Test, he ensured that New Zealand had a chance to survive on the final day.
Mayank Agarwal
Runs: 242 @ 60.5, HS 150
Mayank Agarwal brushed off his indifferent showing at Kanpur to play a match-winning innings at Wankhede. He added crucial runs with the lower-order to ensure that India got to a safe total after they had suddenly slipped from 80-0 to 80-3. He also scored a half-century in the second innings.
Will Young
Runs: 115 @ 28.75, HS 89
The New Zealand batter impressed one and all with his application in the Green Park game. His 89 in the first innings ensured that New Zealand got off to a glowing start. He partnered with Latham to add 151 runs in the first innings of that game. An unfortunate dismissal followed in the second innings, but Young looked one of the few New Zealand batters at ease in Indian conditions.
Shubman Gill
Runs: 144 @ 36, HS 52
The young India player got back the opener’s slot after an injury to KL Rahul ensured that Agarwal and Gill would open for India. He batted in the top-order and impressed in three out of four outings. The fact that he also looked comfortable at the number three position means that India know that they have a good option going into the South Africa Test series.
Shreyas Iyer
Runs: 202 @ 50.5, HS 105
The Mumbai batter is the first proper middle-order player in our XI. While the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, and Ross Taylor failed to get going, Iyer grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He scored a hundred and half-century in his Test debut, becoming the first ever India batter to do so.
Wriddhiman Saha
Runs: 102 @ 34, Catches/Stumpings 1
A number of questions were raised around the Bengal keeper after his temporary replacement, Srikhar Bharat impressed everyone with his glovework. However, Saha fired back with an unbeaten 61 which ensured that India had a safe lead over the Black Caps in the Kanpur game.
Ravichandran Ashwin
Runs 70 @ 23.33, Wickets: 14 @ 11.35
Ashwin continued his golden run in home Tests with another Player of the Series performance. He was lethal in the first innings at Mumbai, his 4-8 decimating the Kiwi batting line-up.
Axar Patel
Runs: 124 @ 62, Wickets: 9 @ 15.66
Axar Patel continued his rich home run with exceptional results against New Zealand. In the absence of Jadeja, he also managed to impress with the bat. With these performances, Axar has ensured that he’s the third-choice spinner for the India Test setup.
Kyle Jamieson
Wickets: 6 @ 30.33, BBI 3-40
The lanky quick used his height to great effect in Kanpur, and troubled the India batters all through the Test. He was less effective in Mumbai, but has shown that he can do well in the sub-continent as well.
Tim Southee
Wickets: 8 @ 27.25, BBI: 5-69
Southee put all his experience to good use to trouble the India batters during the Kanpur Test. His spell on the second morning ensured that India didn’t run away with the game.
Ajaz Patel
Wickets: 17 @ 22.05, BBI: 10-119
Other than the magical 10 wicket-haul in the first innings in Mumbai, Ajaz bowled with control and was able to find purchase on both the wickets.
Combined XI India-New Zealand Test series
Mayank Agarwal
Tom Latham
Will Young
Shubman Gill
Shreyas Iyer
Axar Patel
Ravichandran Ashwin
Kyle Jamieson
Wriddhiman Saha
Tim Southee
Ajaz Patel
