India Breaks 33-Year Jinx in New Zealand

India registered one of its most significant Test victories as it beat the Kiwis in New Zealand after 33 years. Team India, led by dynamic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, defeated the host by 10 wickets on the fourth day of the first Test at Hamilton on March 21, 2009 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test Series. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh turned in a six-wicket haul which helped India defeat New Zealand. Harbhajan displayed superb skills as he kept the batsmen guessing with constant variations in loop as well as lengths. More often than not, it was too much for the Kiwis, who were all at sea against the top spinner. That gave Harbhajan his 23rd five-wicket haul.

Emphatic Win
The win was India’s first in a Test in New Zealand in 33 years — Sunil Gavaskar’s side won by eight wickets in 1976 at Auckland. It was also the best in terms of margin, eight wickets and 272 runs being the previous best; and only the fifth Test win in Kiwiland. It was a complete turnaround, since India had lost both Tests played in this country on their last tour, in 2003.

The New Zealanders were no match for the Indians, who came on top of every session even as they were not at their best many a time. When the Kiwis began Day Four at 75/3 in their second innings, a massive 166 runs behind the Indian first innings total of 520, the writing was clearly on the wall. They were well and truly trapped, it was only a matter of time before they would be executed. The hosts took the game into the last session though courtesy some stiff resistance from the tail but it was all over bar the shouting by then.

The master batsman Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged Man of the Match for his influential 160 in the first innings.

Defensive Approach by New Zealand
New Zealand were always up against it after losing six wickets in the very first session of the match on March 18 and started the fourth day in deep trouble at 75-3. Any hopes of a miracle appeared dashed when they lost Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder in the morning to limp to lunch on 146-5 then three more wickets by tea. Taylor batted for almost an hour for just four runs before his concentration gave way and he departed with the total on 110, deflecting a wide delivery from seam bowler Munaf Patel to Virender Sehwag at gully.

First innings centurion Ryder then tried to raise the tempo with a quick 21 off 27 balls, featuring two boundaries and a six, before he was trapped by Harbhajan. Harbhajan was unlucky not to claim another wicket before lunch when Daniel Flynn edged behind on 55 but wicketkeeper and captain Dhoni dropped the chance.