Before
the start of the first Test at Ahmedabad, the Kiwis were expected to get
battered by the Indians as because, everybody thought that it would be tough
for them to get out of that nightmarish tour of Bangladesh
where they digested the Banglawash. But, you know what; these Kiwis are a bunch
of fighters who bounce back from the most ridiculous of lean patches.
The
Indians started the Test in a swashbuckling fashion. Virender Sehwag was in a belligerent
mood and took the Kiwi bowlers to the cleaners while at the other end, the wise
monk, Rahul Dravid’s sedate hundred helped India
to finish the first day in a commanding fashion.
But
it was a different story altogether in the second day. The Kiwis fought back
strongly to dent a serene Indian progress. Despite the injury to their new ball
bowler Bennett, the New Zealand
bowlers did very well to restrict the Indians from posting a daunting total. Daniel
Vettori led the attack and the Indians finished their first innings total at 487
which once looked to surpass 600 runs.
In
reply, the New Zealand
batters batted with enough patience and composure. Kane Williamson, who had
been fantastic with the bat against Bangladesh ,
notched up his debut hundred while Jesse Ryder surprised everyone by curbing
his natural stroke-play and scripting a hundred which was simply a un-Jesse-Ryder
one! The Kiwis finished the first innings by posting 459 runs – a total which not
expected from them as it was expected that they would find it tougher against
the Indian spinners.
In
the second innings the Indian batsmen found themselves on the mat against the
controlled bowling aided by late movement of Chris Martin. Gambhir misjudged
the line pushed well outside-off to the wicket-keeper, Dravid ended up poking
at one away from his body to a delivery that held it’s line well just after
Sehwag’s comical run out, Tendulkar was done by a late swing that kissed his
bat’s thick edge and hit the stumps, Raina was caught by Taylor Off martin and
India were reeling at 17 for 5. Chris Martin was on fire!
The
Motera crowd was stunned to silent. The number one Test team in the world had
just been given a punch on the face by a bowler whose bowling never had the
teeth to harass the best in the business. But sheer work on basics and a well
influx of good spirit can do wonders. Mind you, New
Zealand had Bennett injured and Ryder, a
part-timer, injured as well. Still their approach against India
was much better than the Australians.
MS
Dhoni and VVS Laxman put up a partnership of 50 but, Dhoni’s stay was cut short
by Martin, who bagged five wickets and India
ended the fourth day at 82 for 6.
On
the final day, the unexpected didn’t happen. The Indians’ prestige was preserved
by the man who is habituated to deliver the best for his team whenever it was
needed. Yes, VVS Laxman stood up again to essay another composed knock of 91 as
his 163-run stand with Harbhjan Singh ensured safety for India .
Especially, Harbhjan Singh with the bat was enough sensible. An ideal blend of
sensibility and aggression brought Harbhajan’s first Test hundred. The Kiwis
were set a target of 294 and they finished the day with 19 for 1. The Test
match, which was to be all India ’s
ended in a draw.
But
this Test match belonged to the Kiwis. Their batting is the biggest gain in the
first Test. After being harassed by Shakib and co in Dhaka
a month ago, the Kiwi batsmen showed tremendous character and temperament to
counter the Indian spinners. Their batting transferred confidence among the
bowlers in the shape of Chris Martin who scripted an inspiring spell to put the
Kiwis on command. And certainly, the Kiwis never give up till the end and especially,
when they play against India
in India .
Thank
You
Faisal
Caesar
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