New Zealand's Tom Latham plays a reverse sweep shot during the day five of their first test cricket match with India in Kanpur, India, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.
Highlights
- Two Indian-born cricketers, Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra guide NZ to a draw under fading lights
- A lot of credit should also go to night-watchman Will Somerville, who played the entire morning
- Rahul Dravid announced Rs 35,000 as a token of appreciation for the ground staff
New Zealand survived a testing final session to earn a draw against India in the opening Test here on Monday.
Set a target of 284, New Zealand were 165 for nine when the stumps were called after an engrossing fifth and final day at the Green Park.
New Zealand were 125 for four as they entered the third session of play.
The visitors, who resumed their second innings at their overnight score of 4 for one, lost four more wickets in the post-tea session.
But the last pair of debutant Rachin Ravindra (18) and Ajaz Patel (2) held on for 52 deliveries to deny the hosts victory.
This was after the Indian spinners came to the party in the second and third sessions to put the hosts in a strong position.
Brief Scores:
India: 345 and 234/7 declared.
New Zealand: 269 and 165 for 9 in 98 overs (Tom Latham 52, William Somerville 36; Ravichandran Ashwin 3/35, Ravindra Jadeja 4/40).
