India End Long Drought

Gambhir finished on 30 not out, while Dravid was on eight after Harbhajan Singh had ripped through New Zealand’s second innings with figures of six for 63 to set up the win.

India's Harbhajan Singh celebrates after dismissing New Zealand's Iain O'Brien on day four of their first test cricket match in Hamilton

The Indian offspinner had taken five wickets before tea and it was only a stubborn 76-run ninth wicket partnership between Brendon McCullum (84) and Iain O’Brien (14) that allowed the hosts to give India the small target to chase.

Needing to make at least 241 to force the Indians to bat a second time, New Zealand collapsed to 216 for eight at tea on the fourth day, still 25 runs short.

Harbhajan ripped through the Kiwis’ batting, capturing five wickets for 45 runs before tea as the tourists closed in on their first test victory on New Zealand soil since 1976.

However, just as it seemed as if they could force the game into an unlikely fifth day, O’Brien was caught in close by Vangipurappu Laxman to give Harbhajan his sixth wicket.

McCullum then decided to hit out and after hitting left arm spinner Yuvraj Singh for four, attempted to repeat the shot two balls later only to top-edge a catch to Laxman to end the innings.

BACK FOOT

New Zealand were always up against it after losing six wickets in the very first session of the match on Wednesday and started the fourth day in deep trouble at 75-3.

Any hopes of a miracle appeared dashed when they lost Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder in the morning to limp to lunch on 146-5 then three more wickets by tea.

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India in Command

Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid both helped themselves to half-centuries on Thursday as India closed in on New Zealand’s first innings total on the second day of the opening test in Hamilton.

Gambhir struck a patient 72 while a composed Dravid made 66 to guide the tourists to 197 for three at tea in reply to New Zealand’s first day total of 279.

When the second session ended, India were just 82 runs behind with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 25 and Vangipurappu Laxman not out four.

Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar

New Zealand had made a bright start to the day when they dismissed dangerous opener Virender Sehwag at the start of the morning session, which was delayed by 15 minutes because of overnight rain.

Sehwag had added just two runs to his overnight score of 22 when he was run out at the non-striker’s end by a direct hit from James Franklin.

But India, who had resumed on 29-0, dominated the rest of the morning on a placid Seddon Park pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.

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Preview: Second ODI, India vs New Zealand

Team India seems to be settled and attuned to the diverse conditions of the land where Sun rises first, but hardly shines.

suresh-raina

As most of the team is touring New Zealand for the first time, the Juveniles showed their nerves of steel and convincingly won the first rain affected ODI after losing closely fought T20’s series which raised few eyebrows and doubts on the capability of the young brigade led by MS Dhoni.

Downpour is expected in Wellington. The moisture and wind has always assisted bowling; testing real character of batters. Toss will be a key factor in Westpac Trust Stadium – so far team winning the flip has triumphed in the tour.

Indian Batting appears to be in good shape as the team is no more dependent on one player’s performance, though they have to avoid mini collapses in middle order to continue the momentum against a side known for its come backs.

Dont’s For India

Sehwag’s brilliance at the top order has been exceptional. He is making the best use of the short boundaries in the dual stadiums.

The young lad Suresh Raina has played brilliantly on the tour so far and will be the man to watch when India tries to double the lead in Wellington on Friday (01: 00 GMT.)

Changing Gautam Gambhir’s preferred opening slot hasn’t been too successful so far, experiment can be dicey in long run for the team.

Hard hitter Yusuf Pathan should be used smartly as he is playing as an all-rounder in the team.

Team India improved the bowling department as Praveen Kumar has filled in the gap left by speedster Ishant Sharma who will be missing the second ODI too due to shoulder injury. Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh can be lethal if they manage to keep it tight.

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