Kanpur: The Test match remains a connoisseur's delight. New Zealand pulled off a draw against India at Green Park here. It was a result that sends an impression of a win for the visitors.
It was a perfect battle between bat and ball. Everything was up for grabs in the first innings and it turned out to be a test of character in the second.
Credit goes to New Zealand who have pulled off a memorable draw.
The match produced everything one could have wished.
India lost three quick wickets in the first innings and followed it up with great knocks by Shreyas Iyer in both the innings.
For the Kiwis, Tom Latham, a determined player, played fantastic knocks in both the innings, followed by pacers struggling hard for wickets.
The Indian spinners gave their last drop trying to clinch the win but New Zealand were just resolute enough.
India's experienced players like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara remained very disappointing.The quicker they come back to form, the better it is for the team.
However, the quality of New Zealand as a team was worth seeing.
In Kanpur, the winter mornings are uncertain. Earlier, the color of the ball helped it sway to such an extent that the bowlers had to bowl cross seamers.
It didn't move in this Test much because the pitch was placid. It had a slow turn. It was slow and the batter could play their strokes.
The Kiwis are tough to beat because they play a great brand of cricket across formats and players are given specific roles and responsibilities.
The most likeable thing about New Zealand's performance was the bowlers' never leave attitude.
Their spinners are inexperienced. And in Kanpur, the inexperience was on the show.
Ajaz Patel was ordinary. Kane Williamson had to rely on his two fast bowlers.
Rachin Ravindra, on his debut, will never forget this match, as was said.
The standard of poor umpiring is worrisome and it has continued to drop for a while now. We need to have at least a dozen umpires, react experts.
It was a Test match for the ages, a cricket match which had everything.
