Team India is only one test match away from scripting its famous series victory in New Zealand that has eluded them for more than four decades. The just concluded test match at Napier has added more to the fact that team India is now covering grounds on all aspects of the game. India has managed to pull off a draw after being completely outplayed by the kiwis for almost three and a half days of the test match.

The Kiwis piled up a mammoth first innings total of 619, thanks to Jesse Ryder’s marauding double century and tons from both Taylor and Mccullum. The strip at Napier served as a batting paradise and there was virtually no assistance for the quickies from it. Sloppy ground fielding from the Indians aided with ordinary bowling ensured that kiwis batted India out of the game. India started their daunting quest of scaling the huge total on an ordinary note with the Delhi dasher getting out cheaply for a very ordinary shot. Gambhir too perished yielding to sudden rush of blood. The Indian batsmen played one too many shots and failed to put up any considerable partnership throughout their innings. All three senior pros failed to convert their starts and that cost India dearly. India was asked to follow on and that meant India had to bat for two and a half days. Even though the wicket was true enough and had even bounce, it really required an out of ordinary effort to stick it out for all seven sessions. India has quite often succumbed to pressure when it comes to saving a test match in the last innings, but this new Indian outfit seems to be averse to losing games and this is the quality that has transformed the poor travelers to a top draw team. Much was expected from Viru but he failed again and India was one down at stumps on day three.
MARATHON INNINGS:
Day Four:

All that was required of India was Bat, bat, bat and bat on till dusk and that’s exactly what unfolded from the Indian batting camp. Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir did exactly what was required off the duo. The Kiwis tried all that they had in their arsenal but couldn’t make any inroads early on. Dravid has finally come out of the shell that subdued his batting in the recent past. Even in the last test match his batting was flawless and very fluent. Dravid was at his best in both offense and defense. An absolute shocker of a decision sent the dejected dravid back to the pavilion. Sachin who walked in as India’s number four did not put a foot wrong. The Master is in sublime nick and that was evident in each of his outing. Dravid was the sole wicket to fall on the day and India raised their chances of pulling out a draw out of nowhere. The black caps had a long and toiling day on the field.
Day five:
Things looked rosy for the master blaster to add another ton to his kitty, but a stunning catch from Brendon Mccullum consumed his wicket. It was crucial for India to keep the wickets intact as we know history has often surprised us with team folding up like a pack of cards on the last day in fact, even in the last session of the match. Just as the kiwis smelled blood, Laxman yet again performed in trying situation and made sure that the kiwis did not get under their skin. The match was nicely poised and both the teams had a chance of getting home. Gambhir, on the other hand played an innings of his lifetime occupying the crease for almost eleven hours. For a natural stroke maker, it really is coming of age for this Delhi youngster. Gambhir finally got out and even then, Kiwis had a fair chance of winning the game. Yuvraj Singh was under pressure right from the word go of his innings.

Laxman Silken:

Post tea session witnessed vintage laxman. Laxman was all class and poise as he caressed his way through for his fourteenth Century. The wristy player scored hundred of his one twenty four in boundaries and this says the complete story. India finished the job with much ease and lead the series. All set for a humdinger of a contest at Basin River.