Team India overseas agony continues.. loose test series 0-1

Victorious New Zealand Team

 

MSD pats his counterpart

Brendon McCullum becomes first triple centurion for Kiwis.

Virat Kohli save India from further embarrassment with aggressive century.

Kiwis turn the table with McCullam n B J Watling`s record 352 partnership

At the start of the fourth day, India , were still in a strong position and just needed to get past Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling, as early as possible.But Indian bowlers offered McCullum many loose deliveries to take advantage of.,McCullum scored his second double-century of the series...Wicket Keeper Watling, too, remained solid and reached his third Test century.Together, the two batsmen added 352 runs - a new Test record for the sixth wicket.As McCullum was tired, Jimmy Neesham took the attack to India and struck an attractive fifty on debut. Host captain McCullum batted out the entire day, set the new record for the longest innings played by a New Zealand batsman, and was unbeaten on 281 at the end of fourth day. New Zealand added 477 runs after 94 for 5 and took the lead to a challenging 325.India went 123 overs without a wicket before Mohammed Shami struck to dismiss BJ Watling for 124, failing two short of the highest score by a New Zealand No. 7 in the second innings.The duo foiled all attempts by Dhoni n boys to upset them .Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli n even Dhoni with one bowled 18 overs between them,to provide rest to tired main bowlers.Ultimately Shami broke the partnership with the third new ball.

New Zealand Skipper  Brendon McCullum n Wicket keeper BJ Watling

Captain`s knock by Brendon McCullum continues NZ fight

Captain`s knock by Brendon McCullum and 150+ partnership with his wicket keeper, continues New Zealand resistance,with 6 for 5 after wiping off the lead at the end of third day...

Mahi Dhoni and team unable to break the partnership by clinging on half chances and lack of penetrative bowling and due to admirable patience by NZ pair after 94 for 5. Day ends with 252 for 5.

McCullum hits his slowest Test hundred,but stays on  not out on 114.

India`s dominance over Kiwi continues

Ajinkya Rahane,Mumbai`s middle order batting pillar helped Team India to continue it`s dominance on day two also in second test at Wellington. Rahane`s first test hundred and a crucial  partnership of 120 with MS Dhoni in 24.1 overs,enabled India to gain 246 runs lead over New Zealand. 1st day`s hero ,opener Shikhar Dhawan missed his second consecutive ton by 2 runs.Captain Dhoni counter attacked with a brisk 68 with 9 fours and 1 six.Hosts still need 222 runs to make India bat again.

Ajinkya Rahane's scores his first Test century 

Captain Dhoni counter attacked with a brisk 68

ADVANTAGE INDIA : Day 1-Second Test at Wellington

After winning sixth consecutive toss on the New Zealand tour, Team India in better position for the first time on the very forgettable tour so far. Ishant Sharma is the day one hero for India. With his six wickets off his 17 overs for 51 runs earlier at the start of the day and later ending the day unbeaten as a nightwatchman after facing sixteen testing deliveries, in the process taking India from 89 for 2 to 100 for 2.Evening honors-post tea session-went to opener Shikhar Dhawan who remained 71 not out with 10 fours and one six off 87 balls.Can India continue and strengthen their position on day two against very successful kiwi pacers so far is going to determine the fate of the match. 

Ishant Sharma 6 for 51 off 17 overs!

Shikhar Dhawan uppercuts for a six.

Day 1 heroes for Team India

Kiwis tamed Indian tigers by superior performance..

Hard luck..Team India ! Would have been a historic win,in spite of conceding 300 runs lead.Batsmen failed to cross the finish line.

Poor line n length bowling in first innings,Middle order failure in second along with some umpiring mistakes at crucial time cost India the match... 

India hoping for miraculous run chase !

What a test match day. Third day of the first test match on Saturday Feb 8th. India bundled out for 202 ,  from overnight 130 for 4, allowing New Zealand 302 runs lead. Hosts did not enforced a follow on. Unbelieving performance by Indians ,especially by Mohammad Shami in the fast bowling and Ravindra Jadeja through his extraordinary fielding bowled out  New Zealand for paltry 105 .With 407 as target , India are 87 for 1 at the end of third day with Murali Vijay back in the pavilion.Can young , fearless Indian guns fire on fourth day to produce miraculous victory remains to be seen.

First Test - Kiwis recover after bad start, on the first day

In the first test at Auckland, hosts kiwis recovered from 30 for three in the opening session of the first test of two match series. Riding on consistent one day series performer Kane Williamson and aggressive captain Brendon McCullum`s centuries. McCullum was unbeaten 143 took New Zealand to strong position at the end of first day, with score reading 329 for 4.

Testing Times for Captain Cool n boys...!

Indian supporters hoping for revival of emerging Team India`s performance in two test matches starting on Thursday 6th February onward. Inclusion of India`s new test matches run machine Cheteshwar Pujara and seasoned old pro Zaheer Khan`s inclusion to head and mentor India`s pace attack may bring better performances in the five day format.While Ishant Sharma`s continuous failure may cause worry to Mahi Dhoni, who is persisting with the lanky Delhi pacer in spite of so many mediocre showings in all formats.If this continues would badly affect Team India`s showing , which continues to be poor abroad. Skipper MSD  hoping for better performances from top five batsmen, with good opening starts.

Kiwis exposed ODI World Champs!

So the fear that Kiwis would be formidable in home conditions, proved right, unfortunately for Team India supporters.

Major issues that enabled kiwis to outplay World Cup holders India are: 

Weak opening starts while batting,total failure on part of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, except one innings for Rohit. 

Pace bowlers`s especially Bhuvanesh Kumar`s inability to exploit swing friendly conditions, in spite of bowling on fresh pitches at most of the time.

Chronic issue of expensive bowling at death of the innings , especially last 10-12 overs.

Batsman lacking adequate skills,temperament to handle short pitched bowling, from kiwi pacers.