India in NewZealand: Dhoni Speaks : Team India celebrates the test series win

"Of course it is a bit disappointing not to win this Test," captain MS Dhoni said. India's disappointment was evident at not winning the Test, despite a charismatic spell of legspin bowling from Sachin Tendulkar, who combined really well with Harbhajan Singh. Harbhajan, with 16 wickets, ended as the highest wicket-taker in the series. The smiles on the faces of the seniors said it all, "I have come here 3 times and I'm happy we finally won" said Rahul Dravid.

The only disappointment was when the series came to an end in a rain affected match. There was no running for the stumps for souvenirs, There was No high fives and group hugs.. There was no grabbing the Indian Flag and taking the victory lap.. History only creeped in slowly.. 2-0 or 1-0 Dhoni and his men were given the task of getting back home with series win and that is what they are coming back with.


But the obvious question was whether India brought it upon themselves by declaring too late, despite having known the forecast for rain. India were 531 ahead when they started the fourth day, but batted on for half a session. India perhaps didn't want to leave anything to chance after having come so close. "You can't really bank on the weather," Dhoni said. A lot has been said about Dhoni and his delayed declaration in media, but the only answer to silence this attack is with a smile and the trophy in the hand and that is what Dhoni did as he posed for photographs after the press conference.

"What we wanted to do in the second innings was to attack, attack and attack so that even if one ball goes in the air, you want a fielder to catch it. That's only possible when you have the extra 70-80 runs. You don't want to change your plan, whatever position you are in. With two days of play, we knew it may rain, but at that point of time, it was not certain. With the amount of wind that goes around, there was a very good chance that the clouds would have been blown away also." He added. The safety-first approach highlighted India's lack of success overseas. The value of this win was immense and its enormity is beginning to be understood. "It's a fantastic atmosphere [in the dressing room], can't get better," Dhoni said.

"We have set the benchmark," Dhoni said. "Next time when we come to New Zealand, people expect you to win. You have achieved something that's big, but the tough part is to maintain it, to sustain it. It never gets easy for a cricketer. If you have not achieved something, there's pressure on you to achieve it. Once you have achieved it, there is pressure to sustain it. Nothing comes easy, it will be tougher for the guys who come on the next tour."

Criticism: This is the worst NZ side of the past, the wickets were flat and suited the Indians. The absence of Shane Bod and other experienced players has affected the way the Kiwis perform. That probably signifies the reason for Kiwi's at no.8 in the test rankings. India on the other hand had every single person in the team in supreme form which was not when the team toured in the past. In the past the wickets were lively and Indians found it tough to stay on the wicket. It would have been bad for Indian cricket if they had not won on this easy paced tracks.


"Contributions came when they were needed," he said. "Wickets were on the flatter side, there wasn't much in it for the bowlers, so they have to keep on changing their plans and improvising at times. The same applied with the batsmen as well. Overall, the effort by the bowlers was really great, and the lower-order contribution is very important because that really takes the morale of the team up. Whenever it was really needed from them, the lower-order contributed.

"We didn't rely on one specific individual, everybody contributed. Each and every batsman scored at some point in the series and the same applies to the bowlers also. At times, there was one end, which was not favoring the seamers, maybe because of the wind or not much help from the wicket. Still, bowling your heart out from that end, you really need quite a determined body and mind to do that. Quite happy with the performance overall."

No matter what team India has achieved in terms of performance and criticism, They come back with a series win, and a tough 41 year record off their backs. This is not the first time this team has had records off their backs, here are some list of the 'First's' that India achieved in the last months (If i can recall)

1st ever CB Series win in Austrlia
1st Series win in South Africa
1st Clean sweep of 5-0 against England
Highest margin of victory of 300 + runs over Australia
Highest run chase of 342 runs in the last innings to win a test match
1st one day series win in NewZealnd soil
1st test series win in NZ after 41 years
1st one day series win in west Indies
And many other such records.

Talking about records, Rahul Dravid now holds the record of highest number of catches taken by any cricketer around the world. Every run that Sachin Tendulkar scores is a record in itself. He scored some fantastic fifties and hundreds throughout the tour. Sehwag showed his form with the bat in the one day series, Gambhir did it during the tests. Dhoni and Laxman contributed with the bat. Harbhajan took 16 wickets, highest in the series and scored a match winning 60 in the last test. Zaheer chippe in with the bat and the ball. Only disappointments for India would have been the form of Ishant Sharma and Yuvraj Singh. Third Seamer Munaf patel did well but needed t step up his game to help India dominate the matches.

with almost no test cricket for India until December 09 in Bangladesh, Team India will be hoping to find some fresh talent and more importantly a bowling all rounder to complete the test side. The players are now headed home, and after spending sometime with their families they will be off to South Africa for IPL followed by their visit to England for the world Twenty20.

All player Statements courtesy CricInfo






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India in NewZealand: 2nd Test Review : Gambhir, Laxman score tons as India bat out a draw

30 March 2009: India maintain the lead of 1-0 in the three match test series against New Zealand after they drew the second test match at Napier today. Gautam Gambhir played a match saving inning of137 off 436 balls after a dismall batting performance by the Indian batsman in their first innigs. Daniel vettori would be proud of his men for taking the match so far, at one point looking favourites to win the match.



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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India in NewZealand: 2nd test, Day 2 review : Ryder gets a double ton

Indian chances of claiming their 100th test win, and re-writing the history by winning the series in New zealand look slim as the second day of the second test at Napier was completely dominated by the home team. The Indian bowlers looked all over the place on their pitch map to right hand and left hand batsman. Harbhajan Singh who got six wickets in the 2nd inning of the first test match was seen helpless without turn. Daniel vettori and the New zealand batsman capitalized on the opportunity as they set a massive score of 619/9 declared.



The Indian team never looked organized in the field, The day however didn't present many opportunities India's way. It was all a New Zealand and more so a Ryder show. Ryder brought up another 100 run partnership with James Franklin scoring majority of runs in boundaries. Franklin was soon run-out. Ryder played the ball into the covers and out they went, Yuvraj singh with a clean pick up and throw, with Dinesh karthick taking off the bails dismissed Franklin run out to a good 55 off 122 balls. It was the only way Indian's looked like picking wickets.

Ryder and McCullum stitched together another quick 50 run partnership to take the score past what looked like an improbable 450 mark. Ryder hardly broke any sweat as he brought on his 200 but soon got careless as he was out bowled to a full Zaheer Khan delivery. The ball was bowled outside off , Ryder tried to smash it covers ended up played on much to the delight of Zaheer khan who got his important third wicket. A classic knock from Ryder came to an end with NZ at 477/6.

Vettori joined MCCullum at the crease, India should have capitalized on the opportunity with 2 relatively new batsmen at crease. However it was a day where the bat dominated the ball, Both MCCullum and Vettori brought up their fifties at relatively fast speed to bring up another 100 run partnership. The duo added 138 runs in total to take New zealand past 600 but Vettori lost his stumps to Ishant Sharma who bowled a full length in swinger which took the inside edge of the bat played back on to the stumps. McCullum brought up his hundred and lost his wicket soon trying to up the anti. he was out caught by Sachin Tendulkar at deep point trying to play a short pitched deliver over the 66m boundary on the offside for six. Ishant taking his third of the inning.

Jeetan patel and Ian OBrein could add only one run when patel was out caught in the deep by Ishant Sharma off a Harbhajan Singh delivery. A consolation wicket for Bhajji who looked out of form throughout the inning. Newzealand declared the inning just before tea at 619/9 with a session and three days to play.

India's only hope at this time was to start well and hope one of their openers got a big hundred. Sehwag started off in blistering fashion smacking a six and 5 fours before he was out trying under edging the ball to the hands of wicket keeper McCullum off Vettori for a quickfire 34 off 25. Rahul Dravid joined Gambhir at the crease with India at 48/1. The duo batted out 8 more overs before Gambhir tried to smash Jeetan patel over the boundary six only ending up in the hands of Daniel Vettori at mid-on. He was out for 16.

To everybody's surprise, in-walked Ishant Sharma as night watchman with well over 10 overs remaining in the day. He could only lst 5 overs with Dravid taking majority off the strike. Ishant lost his wicket out lbw to a arm ball from Captain dan Vettori forcing Sachin to come out to the middle to face the last few overs. India played out the remaining overs to end the say at 79/3 with sachin on 0 and Dravid on 21.

It was yet another superb day at the office for the Kiwis as they extended their total to a massive one thanks to the double ton by Ryder and a handsome hundred by McCullum with good contribution from the skipper Dan himself. India continued to disappoint with the ball and when put in to bat, they simply didn't know what to do. Their approach would raise a few eyebrows, ofcourse you can't bend Virender Sehwag's style but Gautam Gambhir kicked his wicket away to push his side into deeper trouble. The night-watchman trick didn't work good and now India are three down staring at a cliffy task. New Zealand are in a strong position and are dictating terms to the visitors at the moment. Third day's play should be another interesting affair. Even drawing this contest would take a lot of doing. There's still quite a few big names in the batting line-up of the Indians but the task ahead is no smaller. The Indians will really have to bat out of their skins to ensure a draw.





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India in NewZealand: Ryder and Taylor put NZ in strong position : 2nd Test, Day 1, Review

Napier: Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder combined for a record 271-run partnership to help New Zealand recover from a disastrous start and reach 351 for four at the end of the first day of the second Test against India. Taylor (151) and Ryder (137 not out) had come together at 23-3 within the first hour when Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma destroyed New Zealand's top order after the hosts had won the toss and opted to bat on a good wicket at McLean Park.



The weather looked good and sun was already shining, Daniel vettori didn't hesitate one bit in winning the toss and electing to bat first. Sehwag standing captian for MS Dhoni who had to sit out because of a back strain announced the only change, Dinesh karthick replacing MS Dhoni. Newzealand on the othr hand made a couple of changes, Jamie how replacing the injured Daniel Flynn and Jeetan patel played as the second spinner to replace the out-of-form Kyle mills.

Newzealand opening pair of Martin Guptill and McIntosh started the inning steadily attacking the loose balls and leaving the good ones outside off. The first runs came off Zaheer Khan's second ball to Tim McIntosh, who caressed a square-drive to the boundary. McIntosh edged a few balls into the vacant slip areas in the first few overs, martin guptill too survived some of India's initial swing bowling. McIntosh was living dangerously and soon came the downfall, he edged one through to the wicket keeper who claimed the catch cleanly leaving NZ at 21 fro 1 in the 8ht over of the match. Television replays clearly showed the ball missing the bat by a good margin. Umpire Billy Doctrove went by the movement and sound to turn it in India's favor.

Trying to drive when defense was the better option, Jamie How - in at No. 3 for an injured Daniel Flynn - had no clue about a full and swinging Zaheer special and had his stumps splayed. New Zealand were 22 for 2 in nine overs and this was a critical stage as Ross Taylor joined Martin Guptill. There wasn't much movement and all the batsmen needed to do was get themselves in, runs would come. Guptill looked far from comfortable as he gloved a surprise bouncer from Zaheer khan handing a simple catch to sehwag at gully. NZ at 23 for 2 in the 11th over looked like repeating the 60/6 performance in the first test match. In walked Jesse Ryder, Man who restored some respect into the below par performance of NZ in the first test. Both Taylor and Ryder survived a few edges that went flying past the vacant slip corden.

The Turning Point: Who knew the turning point in NZ inning would come so early. Taylor edged a rising Munaf Patel delivery to Yuvraj at third slip, though not at comfortable height the ball carried to Yuvraj's left who only managed to get his fingertips. Taylor survived the over edging 3 genuine delivery over the slips scoring 16 off Munaf's second over.

Taylor continued playing shots but always kept the bowlers hopeful that he would over-reach himself. He edged a lot of deliveries through the slip corden earning NZ team useful runs. Jesse Ryder on the other end continued where he left off scoring boundaries in the most elegant manner reminding of Saurav ganguly. He stood tall and waited till the last moment for the ball to arrive, Width was smacked to the boundary while good legitimate deliveries bowled at the stumps earned respect from his bat. Minutes before lunch he got a thick edge off Harbhajan Singh evaded Karthik and slip and it was the only blemish in an innings that helped get NewZealand back toward steady ground. The Taylor-Ryder stand has so far added 75 and both batsmen appear to have settled.

Post lunch it was all NZ domination, The duo scored runs at a brisk pace with India looking for options to stop the runs and pick some wickets. taylor produced some exciting moments when he wa on 99. He however brought up his 100 from 151 balls to help the hosts to 233-3 at tea. After the break, the pair set the partnership record before Ryder brought up his second Test century, when he guided a Zaheer delivery past backward point for his 14th boundary. taylor got another oppurtunity when he edged a arm blall from Yuvraj singh between the wicket keeper and slip. Dravid was late to react as another catch went down begging. Taylor finally departed trying to whack a harbhajan singh delivery that was bowled well outside the off stump over midwicket ending up skying the ball. Yuvraj singh took a good running catch to dismiss Taylor for 151.

Yuvraj dropped another sitter just before close of play when franklin edged a length ball that was moving away from his body. It went Straight in and came Straight out, A tough day for India on the field more so for Yuvraj who now will have to practice hard fielding in the slips. Jesse Ryder brought up another 100 in partnership with James Franklin to take NZ to 51/4 at stumps. India need to forget whatever happened during the day and clean up the rest of the batting from Newzealand which includes McCullum and Vettori. NZ would on the other hand be feeling happy of what fared out and will hope that the form and momentum stays with the them for the rest of the match.

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