Wellington: When the second Test began, it looked like India would jump at salvaging their pride. While it was well begun, sadly, it was only half done. Kiwi skipper Brendon McCullum stepped in to script the other half, snatching both the match and the series from the Indians. The second and final Test of the two-match Test series ended in a draw on Tuesday, marking India’s trip to New Zealand as a winless one.
New Zealand ended up taking the Test series 1-0, after humiliating India in the ODI series that they won 4-0.
Day 5 began with a shattering of several records. Not just did McCullum surpass Martin Crowe’s 299, to become the highest individual Kiwi Test scorer, but also notched up his triple century, making him the only Kiwi Test batsman to do so. At the other side of the crease, James Neesham scored an unbeaten 137 to help the hosts post a mammoth 680 for eight, something that looked impossible when India had handed them a 246-run lead as the visitors wrapped their first innings.
From looking at saving the match to arising to a dominating position, the Kiwis progressed with a clinical perfection. At 680 for 8, McCullum (302) and Neesham (137) looked steady, but decided to declare the innings and invite India to bat for the second. India began their wild goose chase with a deficit of 435 runs, something that looked like a monster.
While openers Murali Vijay (7) and Shikhar Dhawan (2) departed early, it was Virat Kohli (105) and Rohit Sharma (31), who added 112 runs for the fourth-wicket, taking India to a respectable position, before both captains decided to call it a day, when India reached 166 for 3.