India registers a 3-0 whitewash over Kiwis
The final nail in the coffin for Kiwis came on Day 4 of the 3rd Test, when India beat them by 321 runs to clinch the series 3-0. This was India's first whitewash under Kohli's captaincy. It also ensured India's No.1 Test ranking, a feat they celebrated when Kohli was handed the ICC Test Championship mace, at the end of the match.
Kohli-Rahane partnership sets records
Captain Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane with a record 365-run partnership broke a plethora of records in the 3rd match between India and NZ. This was India's highest 4th wicket partnership in Tests, going past the previous record of 353 runs, between Sachin and Laxman, in 2004 at Sydney. It is also India's 5th highest partnership for any wicket in tests; second highest against NZ.
Kohli, Rahane 'run' a riot
Day 2 of the final Test, brought up a double ton, 211 off 366, for Virat kohli. With this, Kohli became the first Indian skipper to hit 2 double centuries in Tests and the fifth Indian batsman to do so in the same year. He was joined in the run riot by Rahane who scored 188 off 381 balls, his highest score in Tests.
Pujara and Gambhir shine in the 2nd innings
In India's second innings, Cheteshwar Pujara and Gautam Gambhir led India's charge. While Pujara completed his 8th test century with an unbeaten knock of 101*, the scoreboard was complimented with the comeback man Gautam Gambhir's aggressive 50 off 56 balls. India declared halfway through the morning session on Day 4 of the Test after Pujara's century, at 216/3 in the second innings.
R Ashwin's wizardry with the ball
Ravichandran Ashwin created some magic of his own, picking up a total of 27 wickets in the entire series, 13 of which came during the 3rd Test. Rightly so, he was awarded 'Man of the Series' for his outstanding performance. Ashwin became the 4th Indian bowler to bag 20 or more instances of 5-wicket hauls in Tests, after Kumble, Harbhajan and Kapil Dev.
Ashwin's best figures
Ravichandran Ashwin's 7 for 59 in the second innings were his best in test cricket as were his match figures of 13 for 140. He had his 21st 5-wicket haul and a 6th 10-wicket match haul.
