India & NZ’s 1st Test match ends up as a draw

The first Test match between India and New Zealand, which was held at Kanpur, ended up as a draw. India had a fair chance to win the game but debutant Rachin Ravindra’s rock-solid knock helped New Zealand in making the match a draw.

Indian won the toss and elected to bat first in this Test. With the help of Shreyas Iyer’s ton (105) on Test debut and Ravindra Jadeja (50) and Shubman Gill’s (52) half-centuries, India managed to score 345 runs in the first innings. Senior Kiwi bowler Tim Southee (5/69) claimed a fifer in the innings.

New Zealand had a good first innings start with a huge partnership between openers Tom Latham (95) and Will Young (89). However, once they got out, the momentum soon shifted to India’s side. Axar Patel’s fifer (5/62) and Ravichandran Ashwin’s (3/82) lethal spell made New Zealand get all out for 296 runs and gave a 49 runs lead to India.

Even in the second innings, it was Shreyas Iyer (65) who saved India from the trouble. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (61*) also played a responsible knock. Eventually, India declared when the score was 234/7. New Zealand had a target of 284 runs.

Though the Kiwis lost opener Young’s wicket early, Latham (52) and William Somerville (36) have settled the innings. India came back to a stronger position only when they got out. But the stubborn knocks from Kane Williamson (24 runs from 112 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (18 runs from 91 balls) helped their team in making this match a draw.

The second and final Test will be held in Mumbai. It starts on December 3.