The first test between India and New Zealand has just ended in an exciting draw. What looked like a bore and dull draw suddenly came to life and India were firm favourites to win the test when the last hour started. However, the debutant Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel held on for 8 overs before the game was abandoned with 12 minutes of play remaining but the overs having been completed. India will be disappointed by the fact that they were not able to secure full points which could prove vital in the final analysis before the next WTC finals, whereas New Zealand will be pleased having drawn an away test. This is India vs New Zealand first test review.
Surely, Rahane has played his last
Time is certainly running out or infact has already ran out for Rahane. As for Pujara, it is ticking slowly but ticking nonetheless. I have written this before and I will write this again. Rahane is past his sell-by date and is a liability to the team. Once every 15 tests, he scores runs which fortunately for him and unfortunately for India, the team wins that test and Rahane is hailed as someone who performs when the team is in trouble. In this test, India was in trouble in both the innings. Infact, Rahane was a party to that trouble and yet, he didn’t score runs to justify his place in the side. It was atrocious to have made him the captain when his place is seriously questioned by everyone.
Now, with Shreyas Iyer’s magnificent debut, Rahane spot in the side has become untenable. It is time Rahane himself recognises the writing on the wall and announce retirement. He has been a successful captain having not lost a single test in 6 attempts including 3 in Australia. A remarkable achievement indeed. However, that must not hide the fact that his lack of runs is one of the reason India is failing to post good enough total. He is anyway part of some IPL franchise. He can play in IPL for the rest of his career. Having said that, I will not be surprised if Kohli replaces Mayank and Pujara opens the innings thereby Rahane stays.
Pujara’s time clock is also ticking
As for Pujara, he played positively but got out at the wrong moment. He is not getting any younger and with others banging on the door, he must be on guard. I will give him one more series in South Africa. Depending on his performance, he will either be part of the squad or he must also announce retirement. Perhaps, he can play county cricket for the next few years.
The former coach, Ravi Shastri has however defended both these players.
“It is very easy to just get rid of players if they failed in one or two innings. But you should know experience is not sold in the market and it can’t be bought. It is something you earn and unless you have a replacement, double that experience, when it comes to quality, you should not be thinking,” Ravi Shastri replied.
He will do well to remember that father-time is also not sold in the market.
Ashwin keeps pushing the wrong boundary
India will rue the fact that they allowed Somerville to bat till lunch on the 5th day. The might of Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar weren’t able to dislodge him. The disappointment was surely Ashwin. Here is the premier spinner, having a chance to prove someone wrong and yet, he failed to bowl the team to win on the 5th day. Agreed, the pitch wasn’t turning as expected but anyone will atleast expect him to get Somerville early which wasn’t to be.
On top of that he was involved in one more controversy when he repeatedly blocked the umpire’s view and ran infront of the non-striker. He had no business to do that. Arrogantly, he defended his behaviour and stated that it is within the rules. He keeps on pushing the boundaries of rules but does not take into consideration the ethics of the game. It is time, Dravid has a discussion with him and tells him in no uncertain terms that the ethics of the game must be followed and to hell with his rules.
Shubnam Gill. For all his enormous talent, he is not yet able to convert the start. He keeps getting bowled repeatedly which points to serious technical deficiency.
The real find for India
The real find for India in this test was however the maturity shown by Shreyas Iyer. He played a pair of sublime innings that without his contribution, India would have paid the price for taking this series lightly. There is no other way to express this than the fact that the Indian team is taking the test series lightly. You cannot rest 5-6 of your first choice players and expect to win. However, this is about Shreyas and his beautiful innings. He may still not play in the second test with Kohli expected to come back. He may play if Pujara is sent up the order to open the innings because it is unlikely that Rahane will be dropped. Not after he had just captained the team.
New Zealand proved why they are the test champions
As for New Zealand, they will be happy that they got out of jail. Somerville and Latham did really well in the morning but the strange batting in the 2nd half is what got them into trouble. If only New Zealand had played a bit positively, 2-3 runs an over, they could have been in a position to launch a serious assault on the target.
Southee & Jamieson were outstanding with the ball. They were just expected to support Ajaz Patel. However, they proved that they are more than capable of taking the shine off the ball. They kept India well within the par score of 450 in the first innings. With a little bit of luck, this pair could have won the game for New Zealand if not for some resolute batting from Shreyas, Ashwin, Saha and Axar.
Young and Latham at the top of the order offers the strongest stability that New Zealand could have asked for. Young surely looks like he is someone who will be around for a long time. When Conway comes back, it will be tough if Young is dropped. Young and Latham ensured that the Indian bowlers are tired before the 2nd test. 150 for no loss for a visiting team on an Indian pitch on the 3rd day is something unheard of.
What must worry New Zealand is Ross Taylor. He clearly looks out of his comfort zone. He does not seem too confident facing the spinners. Taylor was circumspect in both the innings.
Onto the next one.