Team India and New Zealand entered the fray with a tantalizing equation set in place after Day 4 of the 1st Test. The series scoreline remains 0-0 as New Zealand fought for a draw with a solitary wicket to spare after India hit hard with spin.
The visitors lost one wicket late on the previous day and had opener Tom Latham and night-watchman William Somerville at the crease for the final day. With the pitch starting to behave, the hosts were touted to be favourites as they needed 9 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series. On the other hand, the Blackcaps needed 272 for a historic win.
The pitch surprisingly played out well much to India’s chagrin. The bowlers toiled hard, but found no avail. The overnight pair managed to survive the whole of first session.
India struck with the very first ball after the lunch break through Umesh Yadav. The pacer’s sharp bouncer brought upon a hook shot, which was well taken by Shubman Gill in the deep. Tom Latham struck his second fity of the Test match before being dismissed by Ashwin. With this wicket, the off-spinner overtook Harbhajan Singh to be the third highest wicket taker in Tests for India.
The Blackcaps looked to coast through the session and enter the Tea Break with 7 wickets in hand. But, Ravindra Jadeja trapped Ross Taylor plumb in front with an arm ball to close out the session.
India came out strong in the final session and struck thrice in quick succession, with the wicket of skipper Kane Williamson being one of them.
India inched close to victory after continuing picking up wickets and only needed one more to script a sensational comeback win. However, the final pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel stood tall against the barrage of spin bowling for 52 deliveries to rescue a draw amid the dying light.
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