India and New Zealand’s first test match concluded in a dramatic tie. Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel battled out over 50 balls to enable New Zealand to tie the Test match with India only one wicket away from winning, However, former Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar is dissatisfied with New Zealand’s attitude towards India’s objective. According to the cricketer-turned-commentator, the Kiwis only attempted to hang on to a draw.
Gavaskar described Kiwi’s batting in the 2nd innings as “timid,” adding that the team was merely attempting to survive rather than win the match versus India.
“New Zealand managed to hold on by the skin of their teeth at Kanpur. Their timid batting after a terrific first session on the final day brought India back into the game, and once they started to get wickets in the second session, they simply piled on more pressure as they realised that the visitors were only keen on survival and not looking for a victory,” Sunil Gavaskar.
There is a place in the finals of the WTC’s at stake for both these finalists: Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar also stated that Tom Latham and William Somerville had laid a solid framework for New Zealand and that Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane and coach Rahul Dravid would’ve been concerned. Gavaskar went on to say that the Kiwis then totally closed down the shutters, allowing Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane to set up an offensive stance.
“At lunchtime, Rahane and Dravid would have been a touch worried, for Latham and Somerville had set up a perfect platform for the following batsmen to play their normal game and take New Zealand home. Then, inexplicably, the shutters were pulled down, and all that it did was allow Rahane to keep men in catching positions,” added Gavaskar.
The 72-year-old Gavaskar finished by saying that this draw would be significant as the Test series progresses, as a qualifying spot of the World Test Championship (WTC)’s 2nd cycle is at risk.
“There is a place in the finals of the World Test Championships at stake for both these finalists, and so sharing the points will certainly make a difference as the series goes on,” concluded Gavaskar.
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