India set New Zealand a target of 376

Rohit came up with a resolute 82 in the second innings and stitched a 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket with wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha to put India in the driving seat at 227/8 – a lead of 339 runs over New Zealand.

New Zealand were 55 without loss in their second innings at lunch, with their two confident-looking openers – Tom Latham (31) and Martin Guptill (24) – in the middle at the Eden Gardens.

The two mystery spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja took 3 wickets each and got the superb help from the pace bowlers, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar.

India on Monday dislodged arch-rivals Pakistan to claim the numero uno spot in the ICC Test rankings following their series-clinching comprehensive 178-run win over New Zealand in the second Test at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens ground.

Virat Kohli felt India were impressive in all facets of the game following their comprehensive win over New Zealand in the second Test.

On the West Indies tour, Saha was demoted one spot from No. 6 with the team management saying they wanted to reduce the pressure on him when they went in a batsman short. A good cricket wicket, it’s just been relaid and is going to get better and better.

Outplayed again by India, stand-in New Zealand captain Ross Taylor opted to look at the brighter side, saying they will be hoping to bow out on a high in the third Test at Indore.

Mitchell Santner (9) and B.J. Watling (1) followed suit in quick succession, Shami accounting for both.

“Anytime you have your skipper and best player out is disappointing but you can not rely on Kane all the time. If I return to the national team, I will bring back their Number 1 ranking single-handedly”, Imran said.

“The bowlers fought throughout and that’s something we can take to Indore”, Taylor said. “I just keep watching the ball till the last, and soft hands, that’s it”.

While there were numerous match-winning performances from India, local boy Wriddhiman Saha ran away with the Man of the Match award for his twin fifties in the match. Saha and Bhuvneshwar put on 36 hard-fought runs together for the ninth wicket, bulging that lead further.

“He’s the best keeper in the country right now and he’s doing a great job in Test cricket”, the captain said. The hundred in West Indies really improved his confidence.

India can not afford to be complacent and should look to win every match, skipper Virat Kohli said Monday, even as his side reclaimed the top spot in Test rankings.