Top five New Zealand vs India Test matches
New Zealand and India are all set to square off in the first of two-Test match series on February 21 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. The Island nation has produced some blistering Test classics which will always be engraved in the history books. Let's have a look at some of the high voltage matches played between the two countries in New Zealand.
Brendon McCullum's double ton powered New Zealand to a mammoth 503 after India elected to field in the first Test. India were bundled out for 202, but emanated a slim chance of winning when they dismantled New Zealand for 105 in the second innings. Chasing 407, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli inspired hope, but India fell short by 40 runs in the match.
Batting first in the second Test, the Kiwis could only pile up 192 with Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami disarraying the batting line up. The Black Caps were nearing a defeat as India gained a 246-run lead after the first innings. In came Brendon McCullum and scored a terrific triple ton (302 off 559 balls) that made New Zealand save the Test.
The India camp seemed jubilant following an awe-inspiring Test victory on the New Zealand soil in 2009. The MS Dhoni-led side ticked all the boxes to trounce the Black Caps in the first Test at Hamilton. Sachin Tendulkar scored his 42nd ton and Harbhajan Singh snapped up a six-wicket haul in the second innings, propelling India to a comprehensive 10-wicket victory.
Gautam Gambhir's marathon knock at Napier is often described as his best in Test cricket. India could only muster 305 in reply of New Zealand's 619/9 and were forced to follow-on. They batted for over two days with Gambhir playing a 137-run innings that lasted 643 minutes. The Indian batsmen played brilliantly, but Gambhir laid the foundation of India's arduous draw.
India's first ever Test victory in New Zealand came under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. Interestingly, this was the maiden Test outing against New Zealand away from home (in 1968). Ajit Wadekar was the chief architect of the hard earned victory as he scored consecutive 50 plus scores in the match. Erapalli Prasanna too scalped six wickets in the second innings to overthrow the hosts.
