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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 2^nd 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 14^th 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 160^th 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 3^rd April to 7^th 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 1^st 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 1^st 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 2^nd 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

Gautam Gambhir hit his 5^th test century of his career to lift the whole Indian team to save the Napier test which was looking uncertain at the end of day3. At stumps on day four Gautam Gabhir (102 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (58 runs) were at the crease with India still trail by 62 runs.

Gautam Gambhir involved in two crucial partnership, first it was with Rahul Dravid and then with Master Sachin Tendulkar. Both partnerships was too crucial from Indian perspective and somehow it sent signal to the rest of the batsman to follow that if they will apply themselves in the middle then they can save the game for their country and keep the hopes alive of winning the test series in New Zealand.

Earlier Rahul Dravid went onto scored his 2^nd consecutive half-century and 56^th of his career. He and Gambhir put on 133 runs for the second wicket before Dravid given out by umpire I.Gould but replay showed that the ball was not anywhere near the Dravid bat. So for the second consecutive times he has to walk back to the pavilion feeling frustrated. In the first inning he has only himself to blame when he missed a century by 13 runs and in 2^nd inning a bad umpiring decision.

However Gautam Gambhir kept going strong at other ends and with little master who missed his half century in the first inning made up for his dismissal by scoring his 52^nd half century and put on 89 unbeaten partnership for the third wicket at stumps on day four.

India’s progress throughout the day was way too slow as they only scored 202 runs in the 90 overs but under the circumstances it was total determination and application that negotiated the New Zealand bowling and allowed them to pick only wickets of R.Dravid and that was because of dubious decision. India scored only 72 runs in 33 overs before lunch, 61 runs in 30 overs between lunch and tea with loss of one wicket and 72 runs in 27 overs in the final session.

Now with eight wickets still in the bank, it has given India more than a chance of saving the Napier test match. However cricket is the game of unpredictability and only time will tell whether India will able to save this test match or they have to face defeat in Napier.

Here are few stats came out after play on Day four

• Gamutam Gambhir inning of 102 runs helped him to get pass the 2000 runs mark in his test career and became the second Indian to reach the land mark in just 23 test matches after Sunil Gavaskar.
• Gautam Gambhir became only second opener to score century on New Zealand soil after little master Sunil Gavaskar.
• Dravid in his inning of 62 runs hit 15^th six of his career. His 15^th six was first since May 2007.
• Dravid century stand with Gambhir was 75^th century partnership of his career.

Match Summary (Day4 Stump)

New Zealand 1^st 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 1^st 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 2^nd Inning – 252/2 in 107 Overs

G.Gambhir- 102* S.Tendulkar–58*

J.Patel– 28-6-73-1 D.Vettori– 24-7-48-1

New Zealand bundled out Indians for just 305 to take an impressive lead of 314 runs and then enforce the follow-on on day three of Napier test match to take a firm control on 2^nd test. Following-on at stumps India were 47/1 with still 267 runs required to avoid the inning defeat.

Virendra Sehwag already back in the hut after playing a irresponsible stoke and now it’s up to remaining batsman to play according to their potential to probably save this test match. Chances of winning the test series in New Zealand look slim after their performance at Napier.

With six session left in the game, it’s unlikely that we will witness a draw at Napier. However Indian team is known for producing something special at times and we as Indians hope that they will produce something which they did way back in 2001 against Australia at Eden Garden Kolkata. Second hero of that match Rahul Dravid is still at the crease and his most successful batting partner is safe in the dressing room, so we can expect a miracle again here in Napier.

At the end of days play V.V.S Laxman already suggested that his team and himself and Rahul Darvid is capable of saving this test match and they will try their best to produce something special.

Earlier New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin ran through the Indian middle order with the second new ball on Saturday as New Zealand secured a 314-run first innings lead and enforced the follow-on.

Martin dismissed Yuvraj Singh (0 runs), D.Karthik (6 runs) and V.V.S Laxman (76 runs) to helped his team to take huge lead of 314 runs in the first inning. In the process he has also completed the landmark of reaching 150 wickets in test cricket.

India resumed a day on bright note from 79/3, with Sachin Tendulkar and R.Dravid both looked in good touch. Both played some good stroke during stay at the crease. However when Sachin Tendulkar started to look dangerous, off-spinner J.Patel removed the man for 49 and reduced the Indian score to 165/4. Before dismissal Sachin and Dravid put on 87 runs for the fourth wicket.

V.V.S Laxman and Rahul Dravid then guided Indian ship without any damage till lunch. After lunch both batsman played cautiously and in between hitting some lovely strokes. When things started to look brighter for India, a bulky part-timer J.Ryder got his man dismissing Rahul Dravid (83 runs) on a very wide delivery. Then rest of the batsman fall like a pack of card, loosing last six wickets for just 59 runs.

Indian team which look more on high and played some extra ordinary cricket on this tour now have real jobs on their hand to save the test match and keep the hopes of winning the test series in New Zealand alive. Many people believe that India is in the hunt for the number one test ranking but it’s too early to pass on comments after such awful display in Napier test against New Zealand.

Many people who have not watched play on day three will believe that there was something wrong with the pitch but I will tell you it is still a very good batting pitch and will remain same throughout the test match. New Zealand bowlers bowled brilliantly which is helped by some poor shot selection by the Indian batsman.

Most of the Indian batsman got themselves out by trying to manufacture a shot which is not required at all. If they have to at least show some fight in this test match then they have to learn from the mistakes which they made during first inning. Since Sehwag repeated the same mistake and paid the price by loosing his wickets at crucial time of the days play.

Match Summary (Day3 Stump)

New Zealand 1^st 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 1^st 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 2^nd Inning – 47/1 in 17 Overs

G.Gambhir- 14* V.Sehwag–22

J.Patel– 3-1-14-1 C.Martin– 3-1-6-0

With the help of Jesse Ryder first double hundred in Test Cricket, New Zealand compiled a mammoth total of 619/9 (declared) in their first inning. At stumps New Zealand are on top by picking up three wickets of Indian. Rahul Dravid (21 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (yet to open his account) both were at the crease when play ended on day2.

Daniel Vettori pushed India right back on the back foot when he dismissed the Indian captain in the very first over of his spell and later remove night-watchman to leave India tattering at 79/3 at stumps with another 341 runs required to avoid the follow-on. Now it’s up to Sachin and Dravid to guide the Indian ship in the comfort zone whne play resumes on day3.

The pitch at McLean Park is still playing pretty and it just needs application from the batsman out in the middle to give them some time before thinking of attacking New Zealand bowlers. Not like Gautam Gambhir who threw his wickets away when he tried to play aggressive strokes against the off-spinner Jeetan Patel.

Earlier New Zealand resume their day from 351/4, and both not out batsman went on to reach there mile stone. Bulky man J.Ryder scored a brilliant double century while J.Franklin scored his first maiden half-century of his test carrer.

With the help of J.Ryder 201 runs, R.Taylor, B.McCullum 115 runs, J.Franklin 52 runs, D.Vettori 55 runs New Zealand went onto score their third highest total 619/9.

Ryder was the star of the day, however, resuming his innings at 137 not out and batting for just over eight hours to raise the third double century and third-highest score by a New Zealander against India.

However after reaching his milestone he was bowled by Zaheer Khan to gave India second success of the day. But D.Vettori (55 runs) and B.McCullum (115 runs) went on to put a timely 128 runs for the sixth wicket to get pass the New Zealand score to 600 runs.

Now the game is slipping away from the hands of Indian and all onuses is on Sachin and Dravid to put on big partnership for their team to get back into the match. The 3^rd days play is crucial for both the teams and specially the first session.

Match Summary (Day2 Stump)

New Zealand 1^st 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 1^st Inning – 79/3 in 23 Overs

R.Dravid- 21* V.Sehwag–34

D.Vettori– 5-1-16-2 J.Patel– 4-1-6-1

The second edition of IPL will begin from 18^th of April 2009 in South Africa. Opening game will be played against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. On same day Rajasthan Royals the IPL 2008 Champions will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore and on same day. There will be total eight teams is involved and their will be total 59 twenty-20 matches will be played in the tournament. Each team will play twice to each other (total 56 matches) and top four teams will qualify for the semifinal round. 1^st and 2^nd Semi Final will be played on 22^nd and 23^rd of May 2009 in Centurion and Johannesburg. Final of IPL will be played on 24^th of May 2009 in Johannesburg.

Out of 59 matches to b played in IPL season two, Durban will host maximum number of 16 matches, Centurion will host 12 matches, Johannesburg will host 8 matches, Cape Town will host 8 matches, Port Elizabeth will host 7 matches, East London will host 3 matches, Kimberley will host 3 matches and Bloemfontein will host 2 matches.

The name of the teams involved and the name of the captain for each team are:

1) Rajasthan Royals – Shane Warne (Captain)

2) Chennai Super Kings - M.S.Dhoni (Captain)

3) Delhi Daredevils - Virendra Sehwag (Captain)

4) King XI Punjab – Yuvraj Singh (Captain)

5) Mumbai Indians – Sachin Tendulkar (Captain)

6) Kolkata Knight Riders – B.McCullum (Captain).

7) Bangalore Royal Challengers – K.Pietersen (Capatain) and his absence J.Kallis (Captain) will lead the team.

8) Deccan Chargers Hyderabad – A.Gilshirst (Captain)

IPL (Indian Premier League) 2009 Fixtures (All timing are mentioned in GMT+05:30)