Chasing an unlikely 405 for victory, England were bowled out 20 minutes after lunch for 158 as India grabbed a 1-0 lead in the five-match series, after the first Test was drawn.

Skipper Virat Kohli led from the front to bring up the team’s second biggest win against England by runs, after they won by 279 runs at Leeds 30 years ago.

Kohli’s sparkling 167 and his 226-run third-wicket stand with Cheteshwar Pujara (119) in the first innings was instrumental in the hosts posting 455 after batting first.

The star batsman also hit a gritty 81 in the second innings to underline India’s dominance over the visitors.

“We’ve been playing some really good cricket, we don’t want to be complacent but don’t want to be desperate, either. We respect England,” said Kohli, who was named man of the match.

Ashwin, the leading Test wicket-taker this year, once again turned on the heat against the English batsmen who resumed their chase at 87 for two but lost their last eight wickets for just 71 runs.

The off-spinner, who picked up his 22nd five-wicket haul in the first innings, captured the first scalp of the day by having Ben Duckett caught behind for nought, ending the batsman’s brief, 16-ball stay at the crease.

Ashwin and debutant Jayant Yadav finished with three wickets each in England’s second innings, while fast bowler Mohammed Shami chipped in with two.

“The biggest positives are how the fast bowlers bowled and Jayant’s debut. It was lovely to have five bowlers who can pick up wickets,” said Kohli.

The morning session saw England lose Moeen Ali who looped up a simple catch to fine leg off leg-spinner Ravindra Jadeja for just two runs.

Off-spinner Yadav got the important wicket of Ben Stokes, top-scorer with 70 in England’s first innings, for six.

Joe Root, who was dropped on nine by Kohli at leg slip off Ashwin, provided some resistance until fast bowler Mohammed Shami had him lbw for 25.

Root reviewed the decision but TV replays suggested the ball would have hit the leg stump, upholding the on-field call.

The hosts had reclaimed the advantage on the fourth day after Jadeja trapped England skipper Alastair Cook lbw for 54 on what turned out to be the last ball of the day.

“It was a good toss to win (for India), no doubt. From losing those five wickets on day two – you have to score first-innings runs,” said Cook.

After conceding a 200-run deficit in the first innings, England will take heart from their spirited bowling second time around.

Fast bowler Stuart Broad, who played with a strained tendon on his right foot from day two, and leg-spinner Adil Rashid fought valiantly by claiming four wickets each to dismiss India for 204.

“We made India work very hard. We played some good cricket at stages in these first two games. We need to win a couple of games to get ourselves back in the series,” said Cook.

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.

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

Williamson, who came to the crease after the early wicket of Martin Guptill, put on a 117-run second wicket partnership with Tom Latham to make major inroads into India’s first innings total of 318.

At stumps, New Zealand had reduced the deficit to 166 runs, with Williamson unbeaten on 65 and Latham also well set on 56 when rain stopped play after tea to wash out the final session of play. The batting duo tackled the Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja with aplomb as they used their feet and the sweep shot to great effect at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.

“We are confronted by two very good spinners who know the conditions well and are going to challenge you at different times,” New Zealand’s batting coach Craig McMillan told reporters.

“Both guys soaked that (constant appealing) up really nicely throughout that partnership and whenever they got a scoring opportunity they made the most of it. “That is one of the keys, you don’t allow Ashwin or Jadeja to bowl 12 or 15

balls at one person. You have to find a way a way to get down the other end and both those guys did that really nicely today.” Williamson survived a scare when a Ashwin ball hit the back of his helmet.

The back flaps which provide extra support to the skull fell onto his stumps, but didn’t dislodge the bails.

Latham also rode his luck after Jadeja got the left-handed batsman caught at short leg, but replays showed the ball hitting the helmet grille of fielder Lokesh Rahul.

The decision was referred to the third umpire who gave Latham not out as according to the rules, external protective gear cannot come into play while taking a catch.

The duo got to their respective fifties soon after, although off-spinner Ashwin and left-arm spinner Jadeja continued to trouble the batsmen.

Steyn, who grabbed five for 33 in the second innings in what was his 26th five-wicket haul, finished with match figures of eight for 99 to regain the top slot.

After reclaiming the No.1 ranking in February 2014 against Australia at Centurion, the 33-year-old had enjoyed the top spot until a shoulder injury in the Durban Test against England in December 2015 limited his bowling. India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took advantage of Steyn’s absence and backed up by some strong individual performances, finished the year as the top-ranked bowler.

Steyn has leapfrogged Ashwin and top-ranked England pace bowler James Anderson to take the top slot, which he first occupied jointly with retired Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran in April 2008.

Steyn has now been number-one for a record 263 Tests with Muralidaran coming second in the list at 214 weeks. In terms of days, Steyn has spent 2,320 days at the top, the most by any bowler since World War II.

Steyn’s compatriot fast bowlers – Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada – have also made significant gains in the latest bowlers’ rankings, which were released on Wednesday morning.

Philander, who took four wickets in the Centurion Test, has moved from 13th to 11th position, while Rabada has gained three places to rise to 27th position after grabbing five wickets in the match. ICC

Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed one scalp each as West Indies advanced to 2-62 in 22 overs at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain.

India assumed the top Test spot on the International Cricket Council’s official rankings when Australia lost the third Test in their series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Quick Single: Aussies dethroned as No.1 Test team

But the stay at the top could be short lived, as India need to beat the West Indies in the fourth Test to stop Pakistan from taking over top position.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder won the toss and batted, hoping to capitalise on a slow wicket after a wet outfield delayed the start of play by half an hour.

Pace bowler Sharma did not open the attack, but after biding his time in the field for 11 overs struck with his first ball, a rising delivery that Leon Johnson, on nine, could only fend into the diving hands of Rohit Sharma at short leg.

The Windies had already survived a scare earlier after Bhuvneshwar Kumar – who took five wickets in the first innings of the third Test – struck the outside edge of Kraigg Brathwaite’s bat four times, without getting his man.

Quick Single: Kohli’s eyes on the bigger prize

Off-spinner Ashwin dismissed Darren Bravo in the 15th over with a beautiful delivery that pitched on leg stump and turned to take the number three’s off stump.

Brathwaite was unbeaten on 32 when rain stopped play, with Marlon Samuels on four.

Quick Single: Ashwin finds all-round balance

Umpires subsequently suspended play for the day as the rain continued and the outfield become increasingly waterlogged.

India made two changes from the third test, bringing in opener Murali Vijay for Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara as an extra batsman in place of spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Quick Single: Herath, Starc climb in ICC rankings

West Indies brought in leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for pace bowler Alzarri Joseph.

India lead the series 2-0.

India had to work hard for victory after the world number one side resorted to hours of stubborn defensive batting, scoring at barely a run an over, in the hope of salvaging a draw.

But their plans were dashed by the equally determined Indian bowlers led by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, whose 5-61 in the second innings saw him finish the series with a total of 31 wickets.

Paceman Umesh Yadav chipped in with three wickets as South Africa were bowled out for 143 soon after tea, after being set a massive target of 481.

“All wins are special but this one more so because we had to work harder for it,” said Indian captain Virat Kohli.

“The South African batsmen put their heads down and were playing for a draw.

“We were surprised with how they were defending (but) our bowlers did not lose patience. They can be really proud of their effort today.”

India went into the final Test with a 2-0 lead, having already won the the first and third matches. The rain-hit second game ended in a draw.

India declared on 267-5 after making 334 in their first outing, thanks to man of the match Ajinkya Rahane who hit centuries in each innings.

South Africa had folded for 121 in their first knock.

The Proteas fought bravely in the first two sessions Monday but their innings unravelled soon after tea, as they lost their last five wickets inside 5.1 overs. – AFP

India lead the four-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Mohali inside three days before rain washed out the last four days of the drawn second match in Bangalore.

With another dry, spin-friendly pitch laid at the VCA stadium on the outskirts of Nagpur, the top-ranked Proteas are in real danger of losing their nine-year unbeaten series record on foreign soil.

South African captain Hashim Amla confirmed that Steyn will not take field, saying his premier fast bowler had not recovered from the groin strain he suffered in Mohali.

“Not having Dale in the team is a setback because not having the services of the best bowler in the world is never a nice thing,” he said. “But we have got to deal with it and, hopefully, the guys who play will get a chance to stand out.”

When South Africa played a Test in Nagpur in 2010, Steyn picked up a 10-wicket haul, including a career-best 7-57 in the first innings, to fashion his team’s emphatic win by an innings and six runs.

Indian captain Virat Kohli, however, insisted Steyn’s absence will not make a difference to his team’s prospects.

“We have faced him enough times in the past and we have scored enough runs against him,” he said. “We treat every bowler the same way. Someone else might step up, so you can’t take anyone lightly.”

“Hopefully runs will come” -Amla’s own poor form with the bat will worry the tourists after he made 43 and 0 in the first Test and seven in the rain-ruined second game in Bangalore.

“I definitely would have liked to have got more runs in the series,” said Amla, who hit an unbeaten 253, the second highest of his 23 three-figure knocks in Test cricket, in Nagpur five years ago.

“Hopefully, the runs are still to come. We have got two big Test matches to deal with.”

South Africa have been let down so far by their inability to cope with India’s spin twins, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, who have equally shared 24 of the 30 wickets to fall in three innings so far.

“We have not played our best cricket,” Amla said as the tourists limped to 184 and 109 in Mohali and made 214 on the first day at Bangalore.

– “Not pleasant to face our spinners” -Kohli said he was relieved at not having to face his own spinners, Ashwin, Jadeja and Amit Mishra, who have wreaked havoc with the South African batting.

“If I was playing against them, I would find it really difficult to score off them,” he said. “I am sure it is not pleasant facing the three of them.”

Kohli insisted too much was being made of the dry, brown pitch that will aid spin as the match goes on.

“I don’t know why there is so much of hue and cry about wickets in India,” he said. “We have absolutely no problem in playing on wickets given to us.”

Amla, asked about the pitch, said: “It looks like a good cricket wicket, one that we kind of expect in the sub-continent.”

The South African captain said his team’s dream of winning the series was not over yet, but they still needed to win at Nagpur to set up the decider in Delhi from December 3.

“It is a must-win game for us if we are to win the series,” he said. “The issue has been more with the lack of runs than the lack of wickets. Hopefully, we’ll get the runs too.”

AFP

(AFP) Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed a five-wicket haul as India enforced the follow-on before the rain-ruined Test against Bangladesh ended in an inevitable draw in Fatullah on Sunday.

After the entire morning session was washed out, India bowled out Bangladesh for 256 in their first innings to gain a lead of 206 runs over their own effort of 462-6 declared.

Given 30 overs to bat a second time, the hosts were 23 without loss after 15 overs when both sides agreed to call off the match at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali stadium.
Ashwin and fellow off-spinner Harbhajan Singh shared eight wickets to lead India’s brave bid to win a match in which bad weather interrupted play on all five days. The entire second day was washed out.
The duo took centre-stage after Shikhar Dhawan (173) and Murali Vijay (150) had shared an opening partnership of 283 and Ajinkya Rahane made 98 after India had won the toss and elected to bat.
For Bangladesh, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan picked up four of the six wickets before opener Imrul Kayes top-scored with 72 and debutant Litton Das made 44.
When play resumed after lunch on the final day, Bangladesh added 10 runs to their overnight score of 111-3 before Ashwin broke through by having Shakib caught behind by Wriddhiman Saha for nine.

India: 462-6 declared
Bangladesh: 256 (Imrul Kayes 72, Litton Das 44, Ashwin 5-87) and 23-0

Saha was in action again when he stumped Kayes off Harbhajan, before Soumya Sarkar was bowled by Varun Aaron to make it 176-6.
Shuvagata Hom added 43 for the seventh wicket with Das before he was caught at short-leg by Rohit Sharma to give Ashwin his fourth wicket.
Das lived up to his promise as a batsman, but fell six short of a half-century when he became Ashwin’s fifth victim through another catch by Sharma.
Harbhajan removed Mohammad Shahid through a catch in the deep before Jubair Hossain was run out to end the innings.
Tamim Iqbal (16) and Kayes (seven) played out time in the second innings before the game ended.
The two teams are scheduled to play three one-day internationals in Dhaka on June 18, 21 and 24.