A look at the key numbers going into the second Test between India and New Zealand

Bharath Seervi29-Sep-20162012 The last time India lost a Test at home, which was at Eden Gardens against England. Since then they have won ten and drawn two, including an innings victory at Eden Gardens against West Indies in 2013-14.2 Tests between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, the last of which was in 1964-65. Both those matches ended in a draw. However, there have been only two draws here in the nine Tests played since 2000.56.84 Average of India’s batsmen at Eden Gardens since 2006, which is the best among the 21 venues where they have played more than two Tests. They have had 12 centuries here, also the most at any venue since 2006. In the five Tests here, they have scored over 600 runs in an innings three times; it has not happened more than once at any other venue.6 Number of times India have scored more than 400 in their first innings at Eden Gardens in their last seven Tests there. On the other hand, the visiting teams have scored over 400 in those Tests only twice; those were the only Tests India couldn’t win out of the seven – Pakistan scored 456 in 2007-08 in a draw, while England scored 523 in 2012-13 and won the Test.49.10 The average number of runs per wicket in the first two innings of Tests at Eden Gardens since 2006 – the highest among all venues that have hosted five or more matches in this period.3 Number of four-wicket hauls by left-arm spinners in the last three Tests at Eden Gardens. There has been just one such haul by right-arm spinners in the same period. Also, left-arm slow bowlers have had a better average (35.42) than right-arm spinners (43.73) in those Tests. Both India and New Zealand have a frontline left-arm spinner who made an impact in the first Test of this series: Mitchell Santner took the most wickets for visitors, while Ravindra Jadeja took a five-wicket haul in the first innings.45.38 Average of fast bowlers in Tests at Eden Gardens since 2000 – the worst among all 56 venues that have hosted five or more Tests. In nine Tests in this period, there has been only one five-wicket haul by a fast bowler there; it came in the venue’s last Test – Mohammad Shami, on his Test debut, against West Indies in 2013-14.0 Five-wicket hauls for R Ashwin in Tests at Eden Gardens, in three matches. His best figures there in six innings has been 3 for 46. It is the only home venue where he has played more than one match and hasn’t taken a five-for. He has taken at least two wickets in each of the six innings though.175 Wickets for offspinner Jeetan Patel in first-class matches since the start of 2015, the most by any bowler. He has been included in the squad in place of injured Mark Craig. He last played a Test in January 2013. This year, so far, he has taken 84 wickets in 22 first-class matches, also the most by any bowler.87.75 Ajinkya Rahane’s average in the second Test of a series. Four of his seven centuries and seven of his 15 50-plus scores have come in the second match of a series. He has scored 36.56% of his runs (702 out of 1920) in those matches. He averages 23.80 in the first Test of a series, with just one fifty in 15 innings.356 Runs accumulated by Gautam Gambhir in five innings of the recent Duleep Trophy. His scores in the five innings were – 77, 90, 59, 94 and 36. His last Test appearance was in 2014 in England. Since then, he has scored 1580 runs at an average of 49.37 in first-class matches in India, the second-most by any opener in the format in the country.