Shikhar Dhawan (98) became sixth Indian opening batsman to be dismissed in nineties against New Zealand.
Ajinkya Rahane (118) made his maiden Test century in his fifth match. His previous best was 96 against South Africa at Durban in December 2013
Rahane is the sixth Indian to score a century at number seven in an away Test. The last batsman to do so was Mohammad Azharuddin (115 vs South Africa at Cape Town in 1996-97).
The 120 run-partnership between Rahane and Dhoni is India’s fourth century partnership for seventh wicket against New Zealand.
India’s total of 438 is their highest in an away Test since December 2010. Incidentally this is India’s highest total in their first innings outside the subcontinent since March 2009 when they made 520 also against New Zealand at Hamilton.
BJ Watling took five catches in Indian innings. He had also taken five catches in India’s second innings of Auckland Test. Watling thus became only the sixth wicketkeeper to effect five dismissals in two consecutive innings after Ian Healy, Jack Russell, Adam Gilchrist, Kamran Akmal and AB de Villiers.
The 246-run first innings lead India have gained in the Wellington Test is the highest they have ever gained in a Test in New Zealand. The previous best was 241 at Hamilton in 2008-09. India went on to win that match by 10 wickets.
The 246-run lead is also India’s eighth highest in a Test outside the subcontinent.
