Test cricket is a canvas where the drama unfolds in slow-burning brilliance, and the first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur painted a masterpiece of grit, skill, and resilience. Over five enthralling days, the Green Park Stadium bore witness to a battle of attrition, where New Zealand clawed their way to a draw, denying India a victory that seemed inevitable at several junctures.
Day 1: Shreyas Iyer’s
Dream Debut
India, led by stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane in the absence
of Virat Kohli, took to the field with a depleted XI missing key players like
Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. Opting to bat first, Rahane entrusted
his spinners to exploit the Kanpur surface as the match progressed.
Shreyas Iyer, making his Test debut, showcased poise and
maturity beyond his years. Walking in at a precarious 106 for 3, Iyer anchored
the innings with a sparkling 75 not out at stumps. His unbroken 113-run
partnership with Ravindra Jadeja lifted India to 258 for 4, setting a solid
foundation. Iyer’s audacious six off Will Somerville to close the day
epitomized his confidence, while Jadeja’s steady half-century underlined his
value as an all-rounder.
Day 2: Southee’s Spell
and New Zealand’s Response
Tim Southee, a craftsman with the red ball, delivered a
masterclass on the second morning. His relentless precision and ability to
extract movement from the surface yielded a five-wicket haul, his 13th in Tests
and second in India. India’s innings folded for 345, with Iyer etching his name
in history as the 16th Indian to score a century on debut.
New Zealand’s openers, Tom Latham and Will Young responded
with remarkable composure. Their unbroken 129-run stand defied India’s spinners
on a surface offering variable bounce and turn. While the ball occasionally
misbehaved, the Kiwi pair’s disciplined technique and patience ensured all
results remained possible.
Day 3: Axar Patel’s
Precision
The third day saw Axar Patel reaffirm his status as a lethal
weapon in Indian conditions. His relentless targeting of the stumps reaped
rewards as he claimed his fifth five-wicket haul in just four Tests. New
Zealand, despite Latham’s valiant 95, were bowled out for 296, conceding a
49-run lead.
India’s second innings began under ominous skies and ended
on a somber note as Kyle Jamieson shattered Shubman Gill’s stumps with a peach
of a delivery. At stumps, India held a slender lead of 63, with Mayank Agarwal
and Cheteshwar Pujara tasked with building a defendable total.
Day 4: Iyer and Saha
Steady the Ship
Shreyas Iyer continued his dream debut with a composed 65,
rescuing India from a precarious 51 for 5 alongside Wriddhiman Saha, who
battled a stiff neck to score an unbeaten 61. Their partnerships with Ashwin
and Axar Patel ensured India set New Zealand a challenging target of 284.
The declaration came late in the day, leaving New Zealand to
navigate a tricky four-over spell. Ashwin struck immediately, trapping Will
Young lbw with a delivery that stayed low. At stumps, New Zealand were 4 for 1,
and the match seemed firmly in India’s grasp.
Day 5: New Zealand’s
Great Escape
The final day will be etched in the annals of Test cricket
as a testament to New Zealand’s resilience. Tom Latham and nightwatchman
William Somerville blunted India’s attack in a marathon partnership, denying
the hosts any breakthroughs in the first session. Their defiance sowed seeds of
doubt in the Indian camp.
Post-lunch, the tide began to turn. Somerville fell, and
Latham followed soon after. Ross Taylor’s dismissal before tea left New Zealand
wobbling, but Kane Williamson’s stoic presence offered hope.
The final session was a cauldron of tension. Axar Patel and
Ravindra Jadeja unleashed their full repertoire, exploiting the sharp turn and
low bounce. Jadeja’s three wickets reduced New Zealand to their last pair,
debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel, with more than eight overs
remaining.
What followed was a masterclass in survival. Ravindra’s
dogged 91-ball vigil for 18 runs and Patel’s nerveless defense defied India’s
relentless spinners. Fielders crowded the bat, every ball was an event, and the
atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Yet, the Kiwi duo held firm.
As bad light descended, the umpires called off play, sealing
a dramatic draw. For New Zealand, it was a moral victory, showcasing their
ability to withstand pressure in alien conditions.
Post-Match
Reflections
Kane Williamson lauded his team’s fight, highlighting the
contributions of Southee, Jamieson, and the last-wicket pair. “We hung around,
showed fight, and earned a result against a formidable Indian side,” he
remarked.
Ajinkya Rahane acknowledged India’s effort but rued missed
opportunities. “We tried our best, but credit to New Zealand for their
resilience. Shreyas was outstanding, and our bowlers gave it their all,” he
said.
Conclusion
The Kanpur Test reaffirmed why Test cricket remains the
pinnacle of the sport. It was a contest of skill, endurance, and mental
fortitude, where both teams displayed qualities that define greatness. While
India dominated large swathes of the match, New Zealand’s unyielding spirit
ensured they walked away with their heads held high.
As the teams head to Mumbai for the second Test, the series
remains tantalizingly poised, a fitting testament to the enduring magic of the
longest format.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
