India almost pulled off a win at the Kanpur Test on Monday but heroic efforts by Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel put paid to their hopes. Ravindra remained unbeaten at 23 in 91 balls, while Patel was not out at three after facing 23 balls.
New Zealand needed 280 runs to secure a win on the fifth day of the match, while India needed nine more wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. But New Zealand finished their second innings at 165-9,
Tom Latham made 52, while William Somerville contributed with 36.
Ravindra Jadeja picked up four wickets, while Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets. Axar Patel and Umesh Yadav shared one wicket each.
Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane said after the match, “We tried our best. They played really well. I think the way we came back in the second session was good. The fast bowlers too bowled really well. We wanted to get that partnership going, put some runs on board. Saha and Axar batted really well. Before that Shreyas and Ashwin’s partnership was crucial. We wanted to bowl four overs yesterday and 90-95 in all. I think the umpires made the right call regarding light. Sometimes it feels, am I giving Ashwin too few overs? Am I bowling Axar too much? I am really happy for Shreyas, the way he has worked on his game. Virat will come back for the Mumbai Test. I will not make any comments, the management will take the call.”
Rahane’s Kiwi counterpart, Kane Williamson, said that it was ‘touch and go’ contest throughout the Test. “The Indian side is a formidable one, they were on top for the large part but we hung around. All three results were in play but we fought hard and showed the fight on the last day. Rachin is a top-order batter, but is not experienced in these conditions. The two fast players we played were outstanding, kept bowling long overs and kept us in the game. We know this Indian side is a very strong one in all departments, so we have to be at our best all the time. As a bowling attack, getting overs under the belt was good. We will play in Mumbai on a different surface, so we need to prepare differently,” he said.
Shreyas Iyer was adjudged Man Of The Match for his impressive display with the bat on his debut.
The second and the last Test between India and New Zealand will start in Mumbai from 3 December.