India vs New Zealand 1st test, which ends in a draw is a perfect example of why Test Cricket is one of the toughest format of the game and considered as the best Test of a cricketer till now. Now are the times of shorter formats of cricket, where 10 overs cricket is also played. But the craze of watching Test Cricket is immeasurable. There was a tough competition between both the teams as the match took turns many times. Both the teams showed that why they are the winners and the runners up respectively of the first edition of the World Test Championship. We will also see who won Man of the Match award in India vs New Zealand 1st Test.
First Innings
India won the toss and Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane chose to bat first. Shreyas Iyer was making his debut in this Test Match. But Indian openers were rusty at the start as both the openers were on a comeback as the regular openers were on a rest. Shreyas Iyer then scored a brilliant century on his debut test match and with the effort of lower order India scored 345 on the board. Tim Southee took a fifer and Kyle Jamieson also bagged 3 wickets.
In reply, New Zealand openers got to a flying start. First wicket fell on 151 runs of Will Young. He missed his century by just 11 runs. After that it was all Indian spinners game. None of the New Zealand batsmen other than the openers were able to score runs and New Zealand got dismissed on 296 runs with a lead of 49 runs with India. For India, Axar Patel bagged a fifer. Indian spinners were clinical. Ashwin also took3 wickets.
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Second Innings
In reply, Indian openers can’t start well in the second innings. At one point of time, India was 51/5. It was looking that this match was now out of reach for India. But Shreyas Iyer, once again scored a half century and took his team out of pressure. With the effort of middle order and lower middle order India declared their innings on 234 runs. Once again, it was New Zealand pacers who were doing the job for New Zealand.
In the final chase, New Zealand opening partnership can’t sustain much. Will Young got out to Ravichandran Ashwin. Later replays showed that he was not out as the ball was missing the stumps. Tom Latham was once again clinical. He scored a half century in second innings also. Will Somerville, the night watchman was brilliant with his technique. In the end, Rachin Ravindra defended around 100 balls to draw this Test Match for New Zealand.
Who won Man of the Match in India vs New Zealand 1st Test?
Shreyas Iyer, for his brilliant performance with the bat in both the innings was adjudged as the Man of the Man award in India vs New Zealand 1st Test. He became the first Indian to score a century and a half century in a debut Test Match. He scored 105 runs in the first innings and 65 runs in the second innings. In both the innings, he came at a time when India was under pressure. But he soaked the pressure well and shone bright on his debut match.
IND vs NZ 1st Test: Other players who deserved Man of the Match
Other players who could have been the potential contenders for Man of the Match in this India vs New Zealand 1st Test other than Shreyas Iyer were:
- Tom Latham: Tom Latham played brilliantly in both the innings. He scored 95 runs in the first innings and a well fought 52 in the second innings. In both the innings, he provided a base to the team to score big runs, but that wasn’t possible. He got glued to one end of the crease. His technique of playing spinners make him a big player. For his brilliant performance, he can be the other probable candidate for Man of the Match award in India vs New Zealand 1st Test.
- Tim Southee: Tim Southee was the senior pro in the New Zealand bowling lineup and he understands his responsibility very well. In the first innings, he got a fifer which included the wicket of big names like Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja to name a few. In the second innings also, he got 3 wickets. Again, he got the big wicket of Shreyas Iyer who was well set. In conclusion, he was the senior pro in the bowling and he bowled in the same way.
New Zealand were very happy that they have held on to draw the game. The side has a great batting depth. The technique showed by their number 10 and 11 against spin was brilliant. But the main concern ahead of them is that their spinners were ineffective. On the other hand, the main concern for India is who will make place for Virat Kohli in the 2nd Test. Ajinkya Rahane seems to be the choice for this as you can’t bench Shreyas Iyer now after a brilliant debut.
