INDIA WINS THE TEST SERIES IN NEWZEALAND AFTER 41 LONG YEARS

India wins a Test series in NewZealand after 41 years. India wins this 3-match Test series 1-0 after the final Test match ending in a draw due to rain and bad light.

SCORECARD: India vs NewZealand, 3^rd Test, Wellington, 2009

Lower order strikes for India

India was struggling for 200 odd runs with the loss of 6 wickets in the first innings after the dismissal of Rahul Dravid. But Dhoni and Harbhajan took their chances and made runs at a faster pace. Literally all the tail-enders joined the run feast and made sizeable contributions.

Zaheer routes Kiwis

Zaheer Khan came up with a brilliant spell to dismiss Kiwis to a paltry total. He was ably supported by Bhajji. India had a huge first innings lead of 182 runs. Kiwis were on back foot immediately after their cheap dismissal.

Gambhir notches up another second-innings century

Gambhir continued his rich vein of batting form. In the last Test match he played one of the best match-saving knock. In this Test match he played a knock which had put his team into a very comfortable lead. Rahul, Laxman, Yuvraj and Dhoni also notched up good scores in the second innings.

Rain plays spoilsport

Bad light and rain helped Kiwis escape with a draw. In Kiwi second innings, Ross Taylor came up with a fine century and put obstacles to India’s victory. There was huge criticism on Dhoni for the late declaration. On hindsight, the late declaration had cost India’s victory in this Test match. But that decision may not be entirely of Dhoni’s, the seniors like Sachin, Rahul, Laxman and Sehwag would have been consulted. I feel Indian think thank had not completely anticipated this kind of extreme weather disruptions.

Rahul Dravid - India’s Finest Slip Fielder

During the Kiwis second innings, Rahul Dravid took a nice sharp catch from the blade of McIntosh off Zaheer Khan’s bowling to break Mark Waugh’s record for most Test catches.

INDIA FORCES KIWIS TO A STALEMATE AT NAPIER

India’s resolute batting in their second innings secured them a draw against Kiwis in the second Test match at Napier. India now leads the 3 match series 1-0.

SCORECARD: India vs NewZealand, II Test, Napier, 2009

Dropped Catches
“Catches win Matches” is the famous Cricket proverb. Both the team failed to latch on important chances. Indian team dropped few catches, which allowed Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder to build a huge total for the Kiwis. Kiwis missed an easy run out chance against Rahul Dravid early on the fourth day morning and then dropped a sitter from the blade of Gambhir just after the last day lunch session. Things would have been completely different had any of the teams succeeded in grasping those chances.

NewZealand Lacks Penetration
Kiwis clearly lack penetration in their bowling. They need the “Bond” power. ICL offer to release Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey is too late for Kiwis to utilize them in this series. Anyway that offer is great for NewZealand Cricket in immediate future.

Gambhir Played his Best Knock
Gambhir palyed his best knock of his career in the second innings. Though it is not by any means a fluent knock, it is best in terms of application, concentration, bailing out his team from a difficult situation and in displaying another facet of his game.

Good Knocks by Sachin and Laxman
Sachin played fluently in both the innings. Laxman played well in both the innings. Their knocks in both the innings contributed to India’s cause. It is nice to see all the three veterans coming good. These guys definitely deserve a series win in NewZealand.

“The Wall” is Back
The real God of Indian Cricket is back. I would not say he is back to his vintage best (match-winning), but to his typical best (match-saving). I am happy with his performance in this Test match. But as a fan I want more, a match-winning century in the next Test match.

TIGERS THRASH KIWIS AT HAMILTON

India beat NewZealand by 10 wickets in the first Test match at Hamilton. This is India’s first Test victory in NewZealand in 32 years.

SCORECARD: India vs NewZealand, I Test, Hamilton, 2009

First Ishant & co seriously injured the Kiwis. Then Gambhir and Rahul clipped the wings of Kiwis. Next Sachin took them to coma. Finally Harbhajan & co did the final rituals. It was a clinical performance by the Indians. It was not a surprise for the Indian team to win comfortably despite its poor record in NewZealand. It is expected from this Indian team.

Sachin’s Master Class

Sachin once again showed his master class. He took his time to settle down and his first fifty runs came at slower pace. The next hundred odd runs came at a faster clip. He must be a happy person now, since his knock resulted in a win for India. All the good things (victories) are happening to him towards the end of his career.

Rahul equals Mark Waugh

Rahul Dravid has equaled Mark Waugh record of 181 Test catches, the most by any fielder. It reflects his skill, stamina, concentration level and longevity. Fielding in slips requires different skills. Congrats to Jammy!

List - Most catches in career

Kiwis lack talent

Guptil and Ross Taylor are fine talents. But Ross Taylor has not raised his game to the next level. Guptil is only into his first season. Kiwis really lack a batsman who can score hundreds regularly. They also miss Shane Bond, who is their biggest match-winner in the recent past, due to ICL. Presence of Shane Bond will definitely give an entirely different look to this Kiwi team. It is a shame that he has played only 17 Test matches for Kiwis, that is mainly due to his spate of injuries.