New Zealand vs India 2020, Test Series: New Zealand Players’ Performance Ratings

India have finally been beaten in a Test series. New Zealand did the unthinkable on Monday as they romped past visitors by seven wickets, to win the second Test of the series. Having won the first game by a giant margin of 10 wickets, the Kiwis sailed in cruise control as they sealed the Test series and handed India their first Test series defeat since the inception of the ICC World Test Championship.

Starting the tour on a high, India won five games on the trot by clean sweeping the Kiwis 5-0 in the T20I series. The Men in Blue looked in good shape and seemed ready for the ODI and Test challenge.

But, the Black Caps turned the tables and avenged their defeat in style as they clean swept India in the 50-overs format. It all boiled down to the Test series – to decide as to who should finish on a high when the tour comes to a close.

Eventually, the Kiwis had the last laugh as they beat India comprehensively in both the games.

India never looked comfortable during any session they played and the New Zealanders outclassed them on every occasion in the Test series.

Team India were the invincibles in world cricket. Before this tour, they were riding on the back of seven consecutive limited-overs series wins and had become a global force.

In the Tests, no team could beat them in a single game as they had won seven out of the seven games they played since the Test Championship began.

New Zealand vs India 2020, Test Series: New Zealand Players’ Performance Ratings –

Tom Latham- 7/10

Latham began the series on a low. In the first innings of the first Test, he could score only 11 runs and was caught behind the wickets off Ishant Sharma.

In the second innings, New Zealand did not have much to bat as they had a very meagre target which they achieved without losing a wicket.

Latham made an incredible comeback in the second game as he went to score a crucial half-century in the first innings. He scored 52 runs with the bat and was New Zealand’s top-scorer in the innings.

Identical to his first innings, Latham scored another half-century scoring 52 runs again, this time with a much better strike-rate.

Tom Blundell- 7.5/10

Blundell was one of the most consistent performers with the bat for the Kiwis. H e was crucial in both the games to get them off to a good start.

In the first innings of the first Test match, he scored 30 runs with the bat and solidified New Zealand in the initial overs. The second innings didn’t have much to offer.

In the second Test, he again got off to a good start along with Latham scoring 30 runs in his first innings. In the second innings of the game, he scored a half-century ensuring that the Kiwis cross the finishing line by a comprehensive margin.

Kane Williamson- 6/10

Kane Williamson started the series on a high. It was due to his efforts that the Kiwis could manage a lead of 183 runs in the first Test at Wellington.

Williamson was the top-scorer with the bat in the first innings of the first Test match as he went on to score 89 runs. In the second innings, he didn’t get a chance to bat

Although, his performance declined drastically in the second game as he was dismissed in single-digit figures in both the innings.

Ross Taylor- 6.5/10

The most experienced cricketer of New Zealand at the moment, Ross Taylor had a decent series by his standards against India.

In the first innings of the first game, he scored 44 runs with the bat and built a solid partnership with Kane Williamson at the other end. He didn’t get a chance to bat in the second innings alike many other batsmen.

In the second game, he was dismissed cheaply scoring only 15 runs in his first innings. In the second innings, he remained not out on five runs and made sure that New Zealand crossed the finishing line.

Henry Nicholls- 5/10

Henry Nicholls could not make a mark with the bat in this series. He put on a poor show and couldn’t pull off a great inning.

In the first innings of the first game, he managed to score only 17 runs facing 62 balls in the process. In the second innings, he didn’t get the chance to bat.

In the second game, he scored 14 runs and in the second, he stayed not out on 5 runs.

BJ Watling- 5.5/10

BJ Watling had a below-average performance with the bat in the Test series. In the second innings of both the games, Watling didn’t get a chance to bat.

In the first innings of the first game, he scored 14 runs while in the first innings of the second game, he was dismissed on a duck.

However, he had multiple roles to play and was decent behind the wickets with the gloves.

Colin de Grandhomme- 7/10

One of the best all-rounders of the game, Colin de Grandhomme proved his worth with the bat and ball.

He was crucial with the bat lower down the order in the first innings of the first game and carried New Zealand’s innings forward.

He also clinched a wicket in India’s second innings. In the second game, he played another crucial knock of 26 runs and clinched the most important wicket pf Virat Kohli in India’s second innings.

Tim Southee- 8.5/10

Tim Southee was one of the most important players for the Kiwis in winning the Test series against the Men in Blue. He was at his brilliant best against India and showed the world as to why he is considered one of the most lethal bowlers in world cricket.

In the first innings of the first game, he picked four crucial wickets to bundle up India on 165 runs. He improvised his performance in the second innings, clinching another five-for of his Test career.

In the second game, he was equally lethal as he picked 2 wickets in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second. For his brilliant performance, Southee won the Man of the Series award.

Kyle Jamieson- 8/10

Kyle Jamieson was the best find for New Zealand in the Test series. In his debut game in the Test format, he ripped through the Indian batting line up clinching four wickets in the first innings.

However, he hurt team India more when he played an amazing inning lower down the order to lead the Black Caps to a hefty lead.

In the second game, Jamieson picked his first five-for in Test cricket as he troubled the Indian batsmen with his pace and bounce.

Again, in the second game, he was superb with the bat as he played a crucial knock of 49 runs lower down the order.

Ajaz Patel-3/10

Ajaz Patel was easily the poorest performer for New Zealand. He played only the first game of the series and couldn’t clinch any wicket. He managed to score only 4 runs in the sole innings he got.

Therefore, he deserves a low rating of 3/10. He was replaced in the second game by New Zealand’s pace spearhead Neil Wagner.

Neil Wagner-4.5/10

Neil Wagner got to play only the second game and had a decent performance although he didn’t perform well up to his standards.

He picked one wicket each in both the innings and scored 21 runs with the bat lower down the order in New Zealand’s first innings.

Also Read: New Zealand vs India 2020: Three Reasons Why India Lost Test Series To New Zealand