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Tendulkar hails India and New Zealand for fighting with 'backs against wall' in 1st Test

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 12/1/2021 3:47:03 PM

New Delhi, Nov 30 Batting great Sachin Tendulkar commended both India and New Zealand for the fight they showed whenever they were behind at various points of the first Test in Kanpur. New Zealand managed to force a draw in a match in which the advantage swung both ways at various stages over the course of the five days. It ended with debutant Rachin Ravindra and No.11 Ajaz Patel playing out 52 balls in the final session of Day 5 to ensure a draw. Ravindra faced 91 deliveries to score 18 runs and Tendulkar hailed the batters for their effort. "Both #TeamIndia and #NewZealand had their backs against the wall at various stages of this game and both teams fought hard to come back into the game," said Tendulkar in a tweet. "To survive 52 balls on the last day of the Test was commendable. This is what makes Test match cricket fascinating." India managed to fight back from 51/5 in their second innings to declaring at 234/7, thus setting New Zealand a target of 284. While the Kiwis lost their first wicket early, Tom Latham and nightwatchman Will Sommerville batted out the first session of the fifth day after which New Zealand lost three wickets in the second session. In the third session, however, India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja tightened the noose and New Zealand lost wickets in a clutch. However, Ravindra and Ajaz held on before the umpire called an end to the day's play due to bad light.