Gambhir along with Dravid batted out almost 4 sessions in their effort to save the napier test, which the home team looked favourites after the score of 619/9 dec courtesy a double ton from the man in form, Jesse Ryder. New Zealand won the toss and immediately elected to bat. Standing Captain Virender Sehwag replaced the injured Mahinder Singh Dhoni for this test would have been a happy man as the Indian bowlers picked 3 early wickets dismissing Guptill, McIntosh and Jamie How. Yuvraj Singh's curse with luck started when he dropped Ross Taylor at third slip when he was on 8, who went on to make 151 off 204 balls in partnership with Jesse Ryder who took the match away from India.
Jesse Ryder hardly broke any sweat as he continued on his way to his maiden 200 run score contributing majorly in two big partnerships with Taylor and Franklin to traumatize the Indian Bowling attack. . Some easy takers. Indian bowlers bowled their heart out and would have been frustrated to see so many deliveries take the edge off the bat and fly past the slips to boundaries towards third man. India never looked in any sort of form in the field as a number of catches went down begging, Yuvraj dropping 3 in the match.
Bendon McCullum celebrated his maiden test hundred with tears in his eyes as he in partnership with captain Dan Vettori who scored another 50 took New zealand past the elusive 600 mark. Indian Spinners struggled to build pressure as New zealand declared the innings for a monstrous 619 for 9, leaving India with a session and 3 days to bat themselves out off the hole they had dug into.
ScoreCard Courtesy: Sify Sports
India started off in blistering fashing as Virender Sehwag scored a majority of his runs in boundaries before he lost his wicket caught behind by McCullum trying to squirt a outside off ball for six. He had smacked the earlier ball for a six. Gambhir also lost his wicket playing a needless shot with the day drawng towards an end. ishant walked in as a night watchman and only survived as many as 13 balls in company of Rahul Dravid out lbw to Dan vettori. Sachin faced the Reminder of the balls to end Day 2.
Day 3 brought more drama as the Indians constantly lost their wickets in an effort to score runs. The wall, Dravid scored 83 and he in partnership with Sachin(49) and Laxman(76) restored some respectability in the inning. India lost their way after the dismissal of Dravid out caught by McCullum trying to sqauare drive a wide delivery from Jesse Ryder. They were bundled out for 305, 314 runs behind, India was asked to follow-on.
Sehwag and Gambhir played cautiously, but as soon as Jeetan patel was introduced into the attack Sehwag lost his mind. He edged his first ball to the fine leg boundary and was out lbw, plumb in front trying to smack the second ball over the Mid-wicket boundary. "DUMB" as the commentators called the shot, It's just how Sehwag plays. Dravid and Gambhir steadied the ship and saw India past day 3. Day 4 belonged to India and Gautam Gambhir as he brought on his 100. He played some good aggressive shots in his inning of 137. Dravid helped himself to another test 50 before he was out for 62. Sachin also scored another 50 to help India regain control as the match moved into Day 5. In an Inning that was dominated more by the bat than the ball, VVS Laxman brought about his hundred in partnership with Yuvraj Singh who raced his way to a 50.
India batted superbly in the second inning as both catains shaked their hand to confirm the match drawn. Jesse Ryder was given the Man Of the Match for his double ton with the bat and few wickets with the ball. Special efforts from Rahul Dravid and Gambhir. Dravid has silenced all his critics by springing back to form and hasn't he celebrated it well so far. Both his innings in this Test match have looked very convincing and authoritative. Gambhir especially looked total opposite to what he did in the first innings. Who would have imagined that he would play such a matured knock after having thrown his wicket away in the first innings. He curbed down his natural instincts and batted out of his skin to rescue his side. Laxman was truly special as well for his magnificent ton.
This is a moral victory for the Indians, defeat loomed large over them after they were bundled out cheaply in the first innings. But then the batting stalwarts got into the act and put up a show for which they're known for across the globe. Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Laxman, all put their heads down and batted for time unknown to seal a draw for their side. This is indeed no less than a win for the visitors. India still lead the series 1-0.
And Now we move to wellington April 3rd, can the NewZealand team pull a series draw? Join me for more action and updates, till then it's a good bye from me.
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Kunal Janu
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