New Zealand defeat India by 40 runs in 1st Test at Auckland on a controversial Day 4

New Zealand players celebrate after MS Dhoni’s dismissal

By the time it was all over, the difference between the two sides remained just 40 runs, and it was New Zealand who managed to come out as winners in the 1st Test at Auckland.

India’s spirited comeback continued well into the Day 4 before a couple of umpiring blunders cost India dear. Murali Vijay had got a dodgy decision on Saturday. It was Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni who would have cursed their luck on Day 4.

Needing 300-odd more on the final two days for an unlikely victory, India were led by Shikhar Dhawan, who continued to stretch his biggest score since his 187 on debut from 49 not out overnight. He completed a crucial century and after the departure of Cheteshwar Pujara (23), shared a brilliant 126 run stand with Virat Kohli (67).

However, things changed after quick dismissals of Kohli, Dhawan (115) and Rahane (18). Rahane was really unfortunate as he was given lbw by Steve Davis despite getting a healthy edge onto his pads. India’s continuing opposition to DRS cost them dear today.

However, Ravindra Jadeja, in the company of his captain MS Dhoni, launched a brilliant counter-attack soon after the new ball was taken and injected hopes of a win again. He hit some brutal shots down the ground and was the major aggressor in the 54-run stand with the skipper.

Once he was out to a miscued shot at mid-on, Dhoni relied on Zaheer Khan’s chancy strokeplay to get India closer. Zaheer (17) played and missed a few, but was sharp enough to get the most out of wayward deliveries.

Neil Wagner ended the frustrating resistance from the Indians when he got Zaheer to edge one to Ross Taylor at slips, with India still 58 short of the target.

Finally, Dhoni started to free his arms and had a few miscued shots go the boundary. But the final nail in the coffin was provided by Wagner again, whose slower ball was inside edged straight onto the stumps by MS Dhoni.

However, replays showed that Wagner’s backfoot had touched the marker on the crease, and as per the rules, had to be deemed a no-ball. However, despite numerous replays, Dhoni wasn’t called back either by on-field umpire Steve Davis or third umpire Gary Baxter.

Ishant Sharma soon became the last Indian batsman to fall when he edged a rising delivery to the keeper.

Despite the umpiring errors, India would curse themselves for the lack of fight they showed in the first innings. In the end, it proved to be too big a jump for India after falling 301 runs behind in the first innings.

Man of the Match: Brendon McCullum

Scorecard (courtesy New Zealand Cricket):