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India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 5 Highlights: Last wicket pair defies India as Kanpur Test ends in riveting draw
India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 5 Highlights: Debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel were the last New Zealand pair out in the middle as the visitors managed 165-9 at stumps on the final day.
India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 5 Highlights: The first Test between India and New Zealand in Kanpur ended in a draw after bad light forced umpires to call early stumps on Day 5. Debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel were the last New Zealand pair out in the middle as the visitors managed 165-9 at stumps on the final day. The day started off with New Zealand requiring 280 runs to win and India needing nine wickets. The Kiwis kicked-off the action on a good note, forcing the hosts to return wicketless in the opening session. Opener Tom Latham along with night watchman William Somerville added 76 runs, helping their side reach 79/1 at Lunch on Day 5. However, India bounced back in the second session as Umesh Yadav dismissed Somerville on 36 in the first ball, courtesy to a brilliant effort by Shubman Gill in fine-leg. Williamson then joined Latham in the middle, who completed his fifty before getting out by Ashwin on 52. With the wicket, the carrom ball specialist overtook veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh and now stands as the third-highest wicket-taker among the Indian bowlers in the red-ball format. India then started the final session picking wickets in quick succession. It all began with Ravindra Jadeja removing Ross Taylor in the final ball right before Tea. Soon after the break, New Zealand started losing wickets in clusters as Axar Patel removed Henry Nicholls on 1. Jadeja then dismissed New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson LBW on 24, handing India the much-needed advantage. Tom Blundell then lost his wicket in a rather unfortunate way after the batter played the ball off Ashwin back on the pitch but it hit one of the footmark and skid back on to the stumps. Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee were the last two New Zealand batters to be dismissed. Catch the Highlights of India vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 5 ...Read More
Shreyas Iyer, Player of the Match
“It's a great feeling, but would been the icing on the cake if we had one the game. You can see that the pitch is still intact. We bowled really well. Mindset was to play sessions and play as many balls as possible. People say I am a flamboyant player, don't curb my instintcs, but I was just looking to play as many balls. Enjoyed batting with Ashwin and Saha. Happy with the overall performance of the team. The pressure is always there. They got off to a great start. Once we got a sniff and got quick wickets, we made best use of the situation.”
Ajinkya Rahane during post-match presentation ceremony
“Not really. I tried my best. Very good game of cricket, they played really well. We came back really well after the first session. We wanted to get that partnership going. We were looking to bowl 5-6 overs in the end, but we needed that partnership to carry on. I don't think we could have done anything different. The chat with the umps was about the light. The umps made the call and I think they were right. I thought on this wicket the spinners have to bowl long spells. It was all about rotating the bowlers. I am really happy for Shreyas. Had to wait a long time for his debut. The way he is batting, he is having great first class cricket. Virat is coming back for the next game. The management will make a call.”
Kane Williamson during post-match presentation ceremony
“It has been touch and go around this time throughout the game. Terrific game overall. All three results were still at play. We showed a lot of heart to bat through the day. Some fantastic experiences for Rachin, Ajaz and Somerville. It was also nice to have a crowd here to see this game. The two fast bowlers that did play were outstanding. Bowling long overs was an unbelievable effort. We know this Indian side is a very strong one. Experience overall in this game was good to have. There are things to touch on. Getting the overs under the belt was good to have. We have to prepare for a different kind of pitch in Mumbai.”
Ashwin after the match
“We were actually keeping things under control. We were bowling in good areas and we knew if we had the time to go on and put some pressure on them, we could get the job done but light was always going to come in the last session. There has been bad light in every single day of this Test match so we did expect it, so no complains. Couldn't get the job done but we stuck together well. The beauty of Test cricket is that you need to want it. It's really hard, it's not one of those formats where you turn up, have a good day, have a good four-over bowl or have a good 20-overs bat. There is a lot of pain, there is a lot of hard work, there's a lot of tenacity you need to bring into play. Definitely I am someone who wants to play this format and I enjoy it.”
Match ends in draw
The first match ends in a draw as bad light stops play slightly early than the regular time. New Zealand batters Rachin Ravindra and Ajaj Patel have survived the final overs as players from both sides walk out in the middle to complete the post match rituals.
Just wide of Shreyas Iyer
Just wide of Shreyas Iyer at leg slip, who fails to hold on to the ball and it races for a four. It's not about the runs, but the light. Can New Zealand survive the twilight period as umpires once again take the light meter out. NZ: 165/9
Nervy moments
Nervy moments in the middle as India desperately decide to take their final review after a LBW appeal. However, TV replay confirms the ball was pitching outside the leg stump. NZ: 161/9
Maiden over, match continues
A maiden over by Axar Patel but the discussion is now more about the light. Meanwhile, the action will continue as it has got a bit brighter.
Light factor comes into play
The pair of Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra see off another over as players and umpire assemble to check the lights. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane has a discussion with the umpire and the play continues.
Rachin Ravindra keeps the fight
Rachin Ravindra has hold on to his nerves and brilliantly sees off the previous over bowled by Ashwin. NZ: 159/9
Umpires check the lights
New Zealand are finding it hard here as Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra rotate the strike. Two runs come off Jadeja's previous over as NZ reach 159/9. Meanwhile, the umpires are just checking the lights here, which seems good to continue.
Another one bites the dust!
Another one bites the dust and the man involved is Ravindra Jadeja once again. Tim Southee is trapped LBW on 4. India one wicket away from win.
NZ: 151/8
New Zealand bring up their 150 as the ball by Ashwin keeps low and beats both the batter and the wicketkeeper for a four.
Ravindra Jadeja strikes with new ball
Ravindra Jadeja strikes with the new ball as he traps Kyle Jamieson LBW on 5. India are now two wickets away from win.
NZ continue the fight
Rachin Ravindra and Kyle Jamieson are not letting their guard down easily making the Indians fight. The pair have so far resisted 34 deliveries, adding eight runs in it. Meanwhile, India have taken the second new ball. NZ: 146/7
Drinks!
There will a small pause and more importantly it will give some breathing space to New Zealand batters Rachin Ravindra and Kyle Jamieson. Both of them are being tested with some clinical spin bowling display as they fight for survival. NZ: 143/7
Edge but four!
Ravindra Jadeja bowls at a good pace as the ball takes a thick outside edge of Rachin Ravindra's bat and races to the boundary. NZ: 142/7
Good review by Rachin Ravindra
A good review by debutant Rachin Ravindra as the ball takes a sharp turn after pitching and hits the batter on the pads. However, the batter decides to take a review and TV replay confirms that the impact was outside the line.
Unfortunate for Tom Blundell
Unfortunate for Tom Blundell as the Indians rejoice. The batter punches the ball down on the pitch off Ashwin but it hits the footmark and skids back on the stumps. Wicket no 7 for New Zealand. NZ: 138/7
Another review gone down
There's a review for LBW and R Ashwin, who seemed the most interested, has convinced his skipper to go for the review. Unfortunate for the spinner, despite no bat being involved and the impact being on the line, it not hitting the stumps. India lose their review. NZ: 138/6
Good sign for NZ
Another maiden over, but the pair has so far consumed 41 balls together, which will be a good sign for Kiwis. After this they have Kyle Jamieson, who can bat, Tim Southee, and Ajaz Patel in the middle.
Meanwhile, claps for Ashwin
Tom Blundell and Rachit Ravindra play to survive
Plenty of chatter in the middle as Tom Blundell and Rachit Ravindra play to survive. The maiden overs keep coming but at the moment it's all about saving wickets. NZ: 135/6
New Zealand won't mind as long as the runs keep coming
Axar Patel to Rachin Ravindra and the ball beats everyone and races to the boundary ropes. The umpire signals it as bye and New Zealand won't mind as long as the runs keep coming for India. NZ: 135/6
Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra find it difficult
A maiden over by Ravindra Jadeja as New Zealand batters Tom Blundell and Rachin Ravindra find it difficult to keep things moving in the middle. NZ: 131/6
