Hyderabad. The second test between India and New Zealand ended in a draw on the fifth day on Tuesday. New Zealand had given India a target of 327 runs with not enough time left in the game to achieve it. India batted for 17 overs after tea wherein Sehwag was able to delight the crowd with a 50. Thereafter the two teams decided to call off the match.
Brendon McCullum
Brendon McCullum reaped rewards for his hard work and got third-highest score in Tests in India. The game was headed for a draw the moment Zaheer Khan left the field again after bowling just three overs in the morning session.
New Zealand has now held India, the No. 1 side, to four consecutive draws.
India had their chances to wrap up this match. On one occassion, Cheteshwar Pujara dropped McCullum at forward short leg when the batsman was 148. Another chance India got to have a result in the match, was when Kane Williamson was given out lbw erroneously to an off break which was sure to miss the leg stump but could not pressurize the New Zealanders later.
Williamson had survived the tense moments last evening, started the day with three boundaries in the first over, and then settled in for an innings full of his trademark back-foot shots.
McCullan’s completed his maiden double-hundred with the hockey-scoop over the head of the wicket-keeper. He hit a six over long-off, off Pragyan Ojha and two reverse-swept fours off Suresh Raina. He crashed Sreesanth back past him, and then cut him furiously to get to 225.
It was after this that Sreesanth achieved success, removing McCullum with a slower legbreak. Then he bounced Tim Southee, who had hit him three times with bouncers when he was batting. Later, Sreesanth bowled Southee.
New Zealand declared during tea, and bowled 17 overs before the last hour. Virender Sehwag, however, helped himself to a quick fifty, giving the crowd some entertainment.
This match can be aptly described as a match of batting display by Mc Cullam as well as Harbhajan Singh.
Harbhajan Singh
After a century and a fifty in the first Test at Motera and his sterling display with ball on the second morning here, Harbhajan Singh also affectionately known as ‘Turbunator’, kick-started his innings with a couple of power-packed shots to the fence. The off-spinner then slammed a massive six over deep square-leg to signal his intentions.
He lofted Vettori over long-on for a massive six and then, in a repeat of his earlier shot, sashayed down the ground to score the maximum again.
Harbhajan scored the century and this knock included seven fours and six sixes. He remained unbeaten on 111 as India’s first innings folded up for 472 just under an hour after the start of the day’s play.
Harbhajan had scored his first hundred last Monday on day five of the first Test against the Kiwis at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad. His 115 runs and his fantastic partnership with VVS Laxman had helped India save the game then.
The senior batsmen in the Indian camp should now learn a tip or two from Harbhajan Singh on how to convert a 50 in to a century. His dedication and application to the task has been remarkable in these two occasions .
At the presentation ceremony V.V.S.Laxman was awarded a cheque for Rs. 5,00,000/- and Pragyan Ojha awarded a cheque for Rs.3,00,000/- for their services to Hyderabad Cricket. The Man of the Match award of Rs One lakh was given to Brendon McMullum for his fine batting display.
Ravi Matah.