CRICKET
Day 5: Kiwis frustrate India
India will be very frustrated after this draw because this match was totally in their hands.
New Zealand lost their 9th wicket on 155 runs and still almost 8 overs were remaining at that time.
But the last pair of Black Caps saw out 52 balls in a nail-biting last session.
India 1st innings 345
S. Iyer 105 (171) Southee 5-69 Gill 52 (93) Jamieson 3-91
New Zealand 1st innings 296
T. Latham 95 (282) Axar 5-62 W. Young 89 (214) Ashwin 3-82
India 2nd innings 234-7 Dec
Iyer 65 (125) Jamieson 3-40 Saha 61* (126) Southee 3-75
New Zealand 2nd innings 165-9
Latham 52(146) Jadeja 4-40 Somerville 36 (110) Ashwin 3-35
It was wonderful day of cricket and those who say Test cricket is not entertaining, should watch this match.
There were many ups and downs today in this match.
The first session totally belonged to New Zealand as they didn’t lose a single wicket in that session.
The night watchman, W. Somerville (36 runs off 110 balls) played an outstanding knock and made a good partnership with opener Tom Latham.
Both of them played very patiently to end the first session without losing a wicket.
India made a good come back in the second session as they dismissed Somerville on the first ball of the session.
The Williamson and Latham stand was also looking good but Ashwin clean bowled Latham on 52 runs.
The experienced Ross Taylor failed to score runs again and he was given LBW on Jadeja’s delivery.
He was dismissed on the last ball before tea break.
India picked up a total of 3 wickets in the 2nd session, including a wicket on the first and last ball of the session.
The last session drama
New Zealand was totally bamboozled by the Indian spinners in the last session.
Nicholls was dismissed right after the start of last session.
The big fish, Kane Williamson was given LBW in Jadeja’s over after his dismissal, wickets started to crumble and at one stage New Zealand was on the verge of defeat as they were 9 down on 155 runs.
But Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel hold their nerves under pressure to block the remaining 9 overs.
The last wicket resistance helped New Zealand to draw this match.
Ravindra Jadeja was brilliant with the ball on day 5 as he picked up 4 crucial wickets.
He showed some brilliant off-spin bowling to disturb the kiwi batters and he was well supported by Ashwin and Axar.
Ashwin picked up 3 while Axar Patel picked up only 1 wicket.
The match-saving stand
When New Zealand was 9 down at 155 runs with still almost 8 overs left before stumps, team India was in a great position to win this match.
However, Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel played one of the best knocks to block the remaining overs with some great patience.
They saw out 52 balls before the umpires decided not to continue this match anymore due to bad light.
Rachin Ravindra scored 18 runs but off 91 balls to help his side draw this match.
The Indian bowlers tried their best but they failed to pick up the last wicket.
New Zealand will be very happy and this draw will give them a lot of confidence before moving into the second Test match of the series.