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New Zealand’s lightning strike meets Team India’s determination in a Test with two stories

New Zealand’s lightning strike meets Team India’s determination in a Test with two stories

Rohit Sharma wasn’t dejected in the defeat, Tom Latham didn’t overdo it in the win. That’s self-evident, one would have to say, considering that both leaders are absolutely equanimous.

Bengaluru: India captain Rohit Sharma and New Zealand captain Tom Latham during the presentation ceremony after New Zealand won the first Test cricket match against India (PTI).
Bengaluru: India captain Rohit Sharma and New Zealand captain Tom Latham during the presentation ceremony after New Zealand won the first Test cricket match against India (PTI).

Latham had more to celebrate than Rohit to regret after becoming only the third New Zealand captain after Graham Dowling and John Wright to win a Test in India. That it came after a wait of 36 years made it even more memorable and while the left-handed opener admitted that the “very special” win was worth celebrating, he also stressed the importance of continuing to focus on the task ahead to focus, which entails even more tests in Pune and Mumbai.

Rohit insisted that the three hours on the second day when India surrendered for 46 after opting to bat should not and did not define this Indian team. He couldn’t have been more correct. India have repeatedly shown courage and character, determination and resilience in fighting back from a 1-0 deficit, most recently against England earlier this year. They have adopted an aggressive, relentless style of play that they will not abandon simply because of one bad shot in the morning.

It is that one bad morning that will haunt Rohit and his batting colleagues. Latham said at the throw and repeated Sunday that he, too, would have hit if he had called correctly. He smiled evilly as he reflected on the fact that he had lost the toss, perhaps because he was spared the embarrassment that Rohit publicly revealed on Thursday night. Maybe New Zealand would have fought better, maybe they would have got a more respectable, competitive result. We’ll never know. Perhaps India would have applied greater pressure had they not conceded a deficit of 356, perhaps they would have been more in contention if the Kiwi target had been greater than 107. Again, we’ll never know.

The eight-wicket defeat at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium is, in all likelihood, more of a blip than a cause for concern from India’s perspective. It’s not like they were surprised by what New Zealand threw at them. Apart from the outstanding William O’Rourke, they have played against everyone else in friendlies and haven’t been caught napping while doing their homework. They failed because of their indecision when the ball had a lot to offer on Thursday morning, their selection of some attempted shots and their inability to keep New Zealand under 275 after being on the mat at 233 seven times.

Rohit was proud of the fight shown by his team despite the crucial first innings lead that New Zealand enjoyed. Coming from a deficit of 356 to score at 5 an over and reach 400 for three was a magnificent display of skill of the highest quality. By this point, India had moved from the hunted to the hunter until the second new ball triggered a spectacular collapse of seven for 54. When Sarfaraz Khan and Rishabh Pant were providing great weapons, New Zealand seemed to be out of ideas. Tim Southee provided a lifeline with the wicket of the spirited Sarfaraz, after which it was all New Zealand, courtesy of O’Rourke and Matt Henry.

Sarfaraz’s maiden Test win is definitely a reason to celebrate as the young man shows that he is not just a conqueror of domestic attacks. His 150 counterattacks have opened another selection debate. What happens if Shubman Gill, who missed this Test with a stiff neck, returns to Pune next week? Gill appears to have made a full recovery, considering he batted freely on the pitch long after the last ball had been bowled and his injured colleagues had retreated to their team hotel.

Rachin Ravindra impressive

Of all the New Zealand artists, Rachin Ravindra was the most brilliant. After moving up to No. 4 in the batting order, the left-hander batted with great flair, authority, maturity and common sense. His game plan against India’s top spinning trio was simple but breathtakingly effective, and he was as good as one can be against Jasprit Bumrah on a track of this nature. Several overseas batsmen have enjoyed playing in India in the past. It should come as no surprise if this Ravindra hundred in the first innings is just the beginning of a moving journey of abundance. It should also not be forgotten that several batters from abroad are also heading out and enjoying Indian bowling, so the bowling group under assistant coach Morne Morkel will have to find a way to complement its burgeoning bowling in the next few days Threat can be contained in the bud.

The series is going wonderfully, New Zealand is leading 1-0. How will India react?

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