Gautam Gambhir played an inning of his life by spending 11 hours at crease and with 137 runs from 436 balls helped India to save the game for his team and keep hopes alive of winning the test series in New Zealand. Later V.V.S Laxman also joined the party with an elegant 124 runs and remained not out till India reach into safe zone. Both really played superbly during 2nd inning and save a game right from the hand of kiwis. At the end of day3 no one was sure including me that India could manage to save the game. But one man “V.V.S Laxman” who has other idea told to reporters on the eve of third days plays that his team will most probably save the game and in the end he proves his own wording by hitting a century and 14th of his career. Gambhir's innings secured the draw for India, sharing partnerships of 133 for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid (62), 97 with Sachin Tendulkar (64) and 96 with V.V.S Laxman. However he was out in the 160th over of Indian innings and at that time India were only 42 runs ahead. However Yuvraj Singh also came good in this inning and remained unbeaten on 54 runs till match was declared drawn. He and Laxman put an unbeaten 120 runs for the fifth wicket. Virender Sehwag, captaining India in place of Mahendra Singh Dhoni who missed the match with a back injury, praised Gambhir's stoic contribution. After all out for 305 run in first inning, New Zealand enforced follow-on with the lead of 314 runs in hand. Gambhir's marathon stay at the crease allowed India to erase the deficit shortly after tea on Monday while Laxman and Yuvraj guided India to complete safety, a declaration and a draw. The next and final test of the series will be played at Basin Reserve, Wellington from 3rd April to 7th April. J.Ryder was decalred Man of the Match for his brilliant double century in the first inning. Match Summary (Match ended in a Draw) New Zealand 1st Inning – 619/9 in 154.4 Overs J.Ryder- 201 R.Taylor–151 I.Sharma– 27-5-95-3 Z.Khan– 34-6-129-3 India 1st Inning – 305/10 in 93.5 Overs R.Dravid- 83 V.V.S Laxman–76 C.Martin– 24-5-89-3 D.Vettori– 19-5-45-2 India 2nd Inning – 476/4 in 180 Overs G.Gambhir- 137 V.V.S Laxman–124* J.Patel– 45-2-120-2 D.Vettori– 38-13-76-1 |
