India’s fight-back to a position of strength, courtesy VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh’s valiant partnership
Harbhajan Singh and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 brought India out of jail with their match saving partnership of crucial importance, when India stuttered at 6/65 on the close of play at Day 4. India finished the second session at 255/8.
Previously, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 lost their first six wickets at the bleak score of 65 runs. Four of their top order batsmen managed single figure scores as Chris Martin devastated the strong Indian batting line-up with his probing seam bowling.
Chris Martin registered a five wicket haul to provide his team a chance for an upset victory against the top ranked side in the world. Apart from him, there were no other substantial contributors with the red cherry to back his brilliant bowling performance.
The overnight players, Laxman and Harbhajan led India’s fight-back to rescue their team from an embossing loss against the low ranked New Zealand team. In doing so, the pair added 163 for the seventh wicket partnership.
Moreover, the middle order batsmen missed out on a century by 9 runs, falling to a controversial decision made by the umpire Steve Davis as he was given an lbw on a straight delivery by Daniel Vettori, when the replay showed that the ball took the inside
edge before hitting the pad.
Soon after, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 captain struck on the very next ball to send Zaheer back to the hut on a first ball duck. Again, it was the arm-ball, the same delivery, which brought the demise of Laxman. This time around, there was no inside or outside edge
involved as Vettori earned an easy decision.
On the other hand, the main highlight of India’s second innings was Harbhajan’s historic knock. In the process, he went on to record a maiden Test century. In his unbeaten knock of 110 runs, the off-spinner cracked ten scintillating boundaries and three
towering sixes.
Apart from Martin, the only Kiwi bowler to make an impact in the second outing has been Vettori. The Kiwi skipper is the only bowler, who has taken a wicket on the final day. So far, his accurate left arm spin bowling has earned him 2/81 in a marathon spell
of 38 overs.
Furthermore, the visitors are without two of their key bowlers, Hamish Bennett and Jessie Ryder. The pair suffered from injuries during the match.
The first Test at Ahmedabad is heading towards a draw as India has gained a lead of 283 runs. A result looks far, because it is almost impossible for both teams to secure an unlikely win as only a session’s play is left.
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