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New Zealand’s 33-year-wait to win a test match on Indian soil continues but it was a big moral win for the visitors at Green Park, Kanpur. Unlike the recent trend on Indian pitches, the spectators had to wait for full 15 sessions and even then there was no result. Bad light turned out to be the villain for Ajinkya Rahane-led India as Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel’s last stand frustrated Indian bowlers. Chasing a total of 285, the Kiwi batting lineup got stuck in a spin web but somehow survived as at the end of day’s play they were 165/9.
Earlier in first session, there were promising signs for New Zealand in the first session as nightwatchman William Somerville held his end and scored 36 runs from 110 deliveries, stitching a 76-run partnership for the second wicket. In the final few overs of Day 4’s last session, New Zealand lost opener Will Young to a poor umpiring decision. The Tom Latham-Somerville partnership kept Kiwis hopes alive at Green Park as they added 75 runs to the board in the first session.
Umesh Yadav provided the first breakthrough for India on the first ball of the second session by getting rid of Somerville with a bouncer. The partnership between Latham and skipper Kane Williamson looked threatening but veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin got the prized wicket of the opener. The southpaw was beaten by the lack of bounce and got a massive inside edge on to his stumps. Latham top-scored for Kiwis with a 52-run knock to become the third BlackCaps batter to score two half-centuries in a Test in India. The veteran Kiwi batter Ross Taylor went into ultra-defensive mode right from the start and became Ravindra Jadeja’s first scalp of the day. India got three wickets in the third session and could add only 46 runs on the board.
In the third session, Indian spinners sniffed the victory as Kiwi batting lineup collapsed like a pack of cards. Axar Patel got the ball rolling in the last session but getting Henry Nicholls out. Jadeja then got the big fish Williamson out by trapping him in front of the wickets. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell showed some resistance but got bowled by Ashwin after facing 38 deliveries for his two runs.
After the big wickets Rachin Ravindra held on to one end as Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee fell victims to Jadeja. In the last half hour of the game it was again Ravindra who kept Indian team, the dressing room and fans anxious till the last time as lightometer saved the day for his side with support from Ajaz as they shared a 10-run stand off 52 deliveries.
First innings
Half-centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer’s century helped India post a good total on the board after Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Rahane failed to make a mark. On Day 2, an injured Southee made a mark taking a five-wicket haul backed by Jamieson and Ajaz. Iyer became the 16th Indian batter to score a century on Test debut.
Second innings
Latham and Young frustrated Indian bowlers on Day 2. On Day 3, the Kiwi openers extended their partnership to 151 before Young got out for 89. Axar took the bulk of wickets on Day 3 as he picked up his fifth five-wicket haul in his fourth Test. Latham missed his century by just five runs. From 151 for no wicket, New Zealand were bundled out for 296 as India took a 49-run lead.
Third innings
India’s top order collapsed in the first session Day 4 and hosts were reduced to 51/5. It was debutant Iyer again who came to India’s rescue. He stitched crucial partnerships with Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha to get India back on track. He went on to score 65 and become India’s only batter to follow up a century with a half-century on Test debut. Saha too made his presence felt with his first half-century after four years. India declared in the third session for a score of 234/7.
