India secure first Kiwi series in 41 years

India secured their first series win in New Zealand since 1968 on Tuesday after drawing the third Test.

Rain may have prevented the tourists thrashing the home side, but the draw was all they needed for the historic 1-0 series win.

New Zealand were poised on the brink of defeat at 281 for eight when rain started falling about half an hour into the session after lunch on the fifth day, and continuing showers prevented play resuming.

With only two second innings wickets remaining, New Zealand remained 336 runs adrift of the massive target of 617 set by India when they declared at 434 for seven early the previous day. By Tuesday morning, the series result had not been in doubt with the visitors needing only a draw, coming into the final Test with a 1-0 lead after thrashing the hosts by 10 wickets in the first Test in Hamilton.

India’s star-laden batting lineup proved too much for New Zealand’s bowling attack and the home side’s brittle batting line up came up short at crucial times.

The third test draw calls into question India’s conservatism in deciding to bat on during the early part of the fourth day to extend their lead to 616, although rain on Tuesday had been forecast for several days.

The previous highest successful Test fourth innings run chase was 418 scored by the West Indies against Australia in 2003.

WELLINGTON, AFP