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India pulled off a sensational draw in the first Test at Ahmedabad thanks to a spirited partnership of 163 runs for the 7th wicket between VVS Laxman (91) and Harbhajan Singh, who struck his maiden Test Century. There was hardly any time left in the match when India got bowled out in their second innings to leave Kiwis with an unrealistic target of 295.
There was huge pressure on India when the final day started with a lead of just 110 and only four wickets in hand. Laxman repeated yet another against-all-odds performance while Harbhajan Singh was determined to make up for his batting failures against the Aussies. Incredibly the two remained unseparated right through the morning session to take India to safety with a lead of 192 which was more than enough to secure a draw. Both batsmen were into their 60s by lunch and with just two sessions left in the match, a draw was surely on the cards.
The pair of Laxman and Harbhajan continued to bat well after lunch and soon they were approaching towards their respective centuries. Laxman was seriously unlucky though when he was robbed off a well deserving century because of a bad lbw decision from Umpire Steve Davis. It was an arm ball from Vettori which hit the pad of Laxman (91 from 253 balls with 9 fours) but not before taking a huge inside edge! Laxman’s stand with Harbhajan Singh lasted nearly 55 overs. The very next ball after Laxman’s wicket, Zaheer Khan too was given out lbw despite getting an inside edge to Vettori’s arm ball.
Although India lost two wickets in two balls to slip to 228 for 8, there was no danger of losing the Test anymore. Harbhajan Singh batted out the entire afternoon session while also notching up his first Test hundred and India was at 255 for 8 in 97 overs. India was bowled out in the final session with Ross Taylor taking two wickets out of nowhere with his part time spin – starting with a high full toss to Harbhajan Singh (115 from 193 balls with 11 fours and 3 sixes) which was paddled to short fine leg and last man Sreesanth nicking a drive to the keeper. India got bowled out for 266 in 102.4 overs. Chris Martin was the chief destroyer with 27-8-63-5.
New Zealand finished the Test Match with 22 for 1 in 10 overs in their second innings. Zaheer Khan removed Tim McIntosh for a duck by trapping him on the pad with an indipper in the first over. McIntosh finished the match with a pair. Brendon McCullum with 11* and BJ Watling on 2* saw through the formalities. Harbhajan Singh got his first Man of the Match award for batting!