India crushed New Zealand by 178 runs in the second Test on Monday to clinch the three-match series and reclaim top spot in the world rankings from Pakistan.
Chasing 376 for victory, the touring side slipped from 104-1 to be bundled out for 197 in fading light on the fourth day at Eden Gardens to give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
India will return to the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings irrespective of the result of the third and final Test in Indore which starts on Saturday.
"With the coming home season we have control of that situation (staying number one)," captain Virat Kohli said, referring to the season ahead where India will also host Tests against England, Australia and Bangladesh.
It was an all-round show from the Indian bowlers with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja and fast bowler Mohammed Shami picking up three wickets each.
New Zealand opener Tom Latham offered the only real resistance, top-scoring for his side with a dogged 74.
Latham and Martin Guptill (24) survived nervous moments before lunch to give New Zealand a solid start with a series-best opening stand of 55.
Guptill, whose place in the side is under scrutiny after a string of poor scores, was trapped leg before in the first over after lunch by offspinner Ashwin, who also sent back stand-in skipper Ross Taylor (four) in similar fashion.
Latham brought up his second half-century of the series and added 49 for the second wicket with Henry Nicholls (24), who replaced regular captain Kane Williamson in the side.
Nicholls edged Jadeja to slip before Shami picked up two quick wickets by getting the ball to reverse swing and New Zealand lost seven wickets in the final session.
Earlier, resuming on 227-8, India were all out for 263 in their second innings, setting New Zealand a difficult target on a wearing track.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha was not out on 58, his second unbeaten fifty of the game earning him the man of the match award.
Boult, Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner picked up three wickets each for the touring side.
Reuters
