New Zealand beat India by 40 runs on Sunday in the first Test match at Eden Park to lead the two test series 1—0.
India began day four on 86/1 needing a further 320 runs to win, but were dismissed for 366 midway through the last session.
Shikhar Dhawan led a strong Indian fightback posting 115 and put up a 126-run partnership with Virat Kohli for third wicket before Kohli was dismissed by Niel Wagner who was New Zealand’s best bowler in this Test match.
New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling claimed six catches in the innings, a world record for a fourth innings.
Neil Wagner finished the innings 4/62, with Tim Southee and Trent Boult both claiming three each.
South Africa born left-armer Neil Wagner was the star for New Zealand, ending with 4-62 including the big wickets of centurion Shikhar Dhawan (115) and Virat Kohli (67) with the old ball as India were cruising at 222-2.
Wagner claimed eight wickets for the match and gloveman BJ Watling registered nine catches, six of them in the second innings including the last one off Sharma.
Watling’s catches created a record by a New Zealand gloveman in a Test, beating Brendon McCullum‘s record of eight against Pakistan in Napier in 2009.
For the hosts, Boult and Tim Southee were excellent with the second new ball as New Zealand stormed to victory, taking six wickets apiece in the test.
It was an absorbing, seesawing match where New Zealand dominated the first two days then India roared back when they dismissed the hosts for 105 in their second innings yesterday.
India captain MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja were India’s last hopes as New Zealand’s pacemen chipped away after the tea break.
The pair went on the attack, before Boult broke the partnership when he had Jadeja caught at mid-on by Ish Sodhi, for 26 off 21 balls.
Wagner then removed Zaheer Khan and Dhoni in quick succession.
Dhoni (39 off 41) was the big scalp as Wagner bowled a slower bouncer and the skipper dragged it onto his stumps.
Replays showed Wagner was just inside the return crease with his back foot and the wicket stood. New Zealand celebrated wildly, knowing the last rites remained.
New Zealand team lead by McCullum, ranked eighth to India’s second going into this series, have now won three successive Tests this summer, all with an unchanged 11.
The Black Caps lead the two-match series 1-0 ahead of the final Test in Wellington.
