IND v NZ: Ashwin's 300th Wicket, Biggest Win, Biggest Defeat & Other Records

In the recently concluded India vs New Zealand test series, the hosts were able to emerge victorious in the two-match series by 1-0 after winning the second match at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. 

The match was dominated in its entirety by the Indian team, however, this match will be primely etched in the history books for one bowler from the New Zealand team - Ajaz Patel.

India defeated New Zealand by a mammoth difference, which again is record-breaking. Let's have a look at various records which were achieved by the players & teams in this test match which lasted for a little more than 3 days.

India's Largest Victory By Margin Of Runs

India posted 325 runs in the first innings, and then went on to bundle out the NZ team for 62 runs. Virat Kohli didn't enforce the follow on as the Indian team came on to bat again, and declared at 276/6, setting a target of 540 in front of the New Zealand team. 

New Zealand was again restricted to 167/10, and India won the match by 372 runs, which is India's largest victory by margin of runs in test cricket. 

• 372 vs NZ, Mumbai 2021
• 337 vs SA, Delhi 2015
• 321 vs NZ, Indore 2016
• 320 vs AUS, Mohali 2008

New Zealand's Biggest Defeat By Margin Of Runs:

Clueless batting from NZ and attacking bowling performance from Indians also gave the Kiwis their biggest defeat in tests by margin of runs, by 372 runs. 

• 327 runs vs IND, Mumbai 2021
• 358 runs vs SA, Johannesburg 2007
• 321 runs vs IND, Indore 2016
• 299 runs vs PAK, Auckland 2001

3rd 'Perfect 10' in history of Test Cricket

The only NZ who gave a worthy performance in this test match was Ajaz Patel, who picked up all 10 wickets for his team, and that too in the first innings of a test match. Patel tirelessly bowled 48 overs out of 110 overs India played. 

Ajaz Patel became the third bowler in test history to pick up 'perfect 10', and the first bowler to do so in a losing cause. Jim Laker picked up 19 wickets in England vs Australia test match in 1956, and England won the match by an innings & 170 runs. Anil Kumble also picked up 10 wickets in the test against Pakistan in 1999, which India won by 212 runs. 

Ajaz Patel also registered an unwanted record to his name - best bowling figures in a losing cause. Here are the top 4 bowling figures in a losing cause

• 14/225 - Ajaz Patel v IND, 2021
• 13/132 - Javagal Srinath v PAK, 1999
• 13/163 - Sydney Barnes v AUS, 1902
• 13/217 - Merv Hughes v WI, 1988

Most Test Wickets:

Ravichandran Ashwin was adjudged 'Player of the Series' for his wonderful bowling performance. He picked up 14 wickets in 2 overs, averaging 11.36 with 2 five-wicket hauls. 

With this, Ash completed 300 test wickets in India. The ace spinner has achieved this feat in 49 matches with 24 five-wicket hauls. Anil Kumble is the only bowler ahead of Ashwin in this list with 350 wickets. However, Ashwin has surpassed Anil Kumble in picking up most wickets for India in winning cause, with 296 wickets compared to Kumble's 288.

• 350 - Anil Kumble
• 300* - Ravichandran Ashwin
• 265 - Harbhajan Singh
• 219 - Kapil Dev

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

Ravi Ashwin also landed himself on the second spot on the list of 'fastest 300 wickets to home', bettered only by the highest wicket-taker in tests, Muttiah Muralitharan. Ash achieved this feat in 49 matches. 

• 48 - M. Muralitharan
• 49 - R Ashwin
• 52 - Anil Kumble
• 65 - Shane Warne