KANPUR, SEPTEMBER 26 (REUTERS): India celebrated their 500th test in style when they overcame New Zealand's final dogged resistance with mesmeric spin and masterful swing to claim the series opener by 197 runs on Monday. New Zealand were always going to do well to manage anything more than delaying the Indian celebrations when they resumed on 93 for four in their pursuit of an improbable 434-run victory target on a track offering generous spin and bounce. To their credit, they kept the home bowlers at bay for 50 overs on a turning day-five track before collapsing for 236 to give the hosts a comprehensive victory in the milestone test. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 6-132 to complete his 10-wicket match haul and prove why he is considered India's premier spinner. His spin partner Ravindra Jadeja was adjudged man-of-the-match for claiming six wickets and scoring 92 runs without being dismissed in either innings. "A target of 430-odd on a fifth day wicket is very, very hard to get," home skipper Virat Kohli told reporters. "All your batsmen, right till number 10, have to bat really well (to achieve that). We knew it's just a matter of being patient. "Having batted on that wicket, and all the batsmen would vouch for this, you could not defend your way out of the game," Kohli added. When final day's play began under an overcast sky, overnight batsmen Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner (71) continued their resistance against the in-form Indian spinners at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. Kohli predictably began with spin from both ends but the batsmen mixed caution with aggression to defy their hosts. "They are a good side, particularly in their home conditions and they showed that again," said New Zealand captain Kane Williamson. "As a unit, we want to be able to apply pressure for longer, which isn't always easy in tihs part of the world against a side like India. But it's certainly a challenge for us moving forward."
