Related Links: India Tour of New Zealand 2013/14 – Schedule | NZ Vs Ind, 1st Test at Eden Park, Auckland – Scorecard
Neil Wagner took four wickets in each of the Indian innings
New Zealand defeated India by a narrow margin of 40 runs in the First ANZ Test at the Eden Park in Auckland. India was threatening to chase down the tall target of 407 with Shikhar Dhawan scoring a century and Virat Kohli batting exceedingly well. However, New Zealand picked up timely wickets to get the result in their favour.
Virat Kohli was dismissed by Neil Wagner for 67 (from 102 balls with 12 fours) after he under-edged a pull shot to the keeper. Kohli had put on 126 runs for the 3rd wicket with Shikhar Dhawan. Wagner struck again for the Kiwis in his next spell when he surprised Shikhar Dhawan with a short ball that was fended off to the keeper. Shikhar Dhawan got out for 115 which came in 211 balls with 12 fours and a six.
India’s chances of a win were dashed by the dismissals of Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma with the second new ball. Ajinkya Rahane was trapped lbw for 18 by left-armer Trent Boult with the very first ball with the second new ball. And just the first ball after Tea, Rohit Sharma (19) was forced to edge Tim Southee to the keeper on the backfoot.
With as many as 137 more runs to win, the last recognized batting pair of MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja launched a counter attack. They took the target below 100 but soon Ravindra Jadeja got out for a 21-ball 26 when he holed out to mid-on trying to get a boundary.
The last hope for India perished in the form of MS Dhoni with the Skipper dragging a pull shot onto the stumps of Neil Wagner. MS Dhoni did his best until then scoring 39 from 41 balls with 6 fours before he was the second last to be dismissed. India was bowled out for 366 with Neil Wagner taking four wickets and the new ball pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult taking three each. Wagner completed the match with 8 for 126 in just 36 overs.
As expected New Zealand Captain Brendon McCullum for his brutal double century in the first innings got the Man of the Match award. The Second and Final Test of this Series is at Wellington from the 14th.
Match Video: Neil Wagner saying “Won’t let India win 1st Test” and delivering the result today
