New Zealand vs India, 2nd Test Day 5 highlights: Virat Kohli century ensures draw at Wellington, Kiwis win series

Brendon McCullum's historic 302 helped New Zealand set up a 435-run target for the visitors, who thanks to a Virat Kohli hundred ensured a drawn Test. Catch all the highlights from Day 5 of the Wellington Test, as it happened: (Scorecard | Text Commentary | Match Report)

ICC RANKINGS: After the Wellington Test, India retain their No.2 spot in Test rankings. New Zealand also rise a rung to 7th spot.

 

Quotes from the Presentation:

 

Brendon McCullum: Test series wins don't come too often against good sides like India. it was very satisfying to go past all the great Kiwi batsman during my knock, especially Martin Crowe. We're still improving as a unit, the emergence of youngsters like Corey Anderson and James Neesham is fascinating. We're good in home conditions. We need to continue to improve away from home.

 

MS Dhoni: We need to appreciate the way Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling batted in the Test. Those two kept the good balls out but our bowlers tried their best till the end. Overall the ODI series was very disappointing for us but Tests were better. Bowlers did well in Tests. We have been improving overseas as a team after the South Africa tour. New Zealand is a great venue to play. I really like Wellington, it is a proper ground and it is windy here. Loved the way the crowd showed the support to McCullum, who was fantastic. (Read more)

 

Kiwis win the series 1-0 and India have failed to register a single win on this tour.

09:53 (IST) Match over as India reach 166/3 as umpires decide to call of play. In the first couple of days India played some superb cricket and it looked like the match might end by Tea on day 3 and India would end their overseas winless streak. But then as they say, cricket's a game with glorious uncertainties. Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling shared a record partnership between them and slowly took the game away from India and put the hosts as favourites to win.

09:41 (IST): Virat Kohli reaches 6th century, 129 balls (15x4s, 1x6). Fuller length ball around off, Kohli drives it straight down the ground through the mid on region. The ball goes to the boundary rope and that brings up his century.

09:35 (IST) Rohit Sharma punches Corey Anderson for four through the cover point region. Excellent timing on that occasion from Rohit. India 152/3 (target 435).

09:27 (IST) FACTOID: Brendon McCullum became the second captain to score a triple hundred and a double hundred in a Test series after Michael Clarke of Australia. interestingly, both Clarke and McCullum have achieved the feat against India.

09:22 (IST) Kohli playing beautifully here, another front foot cover drive for four, this time off Southee. India 143/3 (target 435)

 

09:12 (IST) Rohit Sharma guides Trent Boult behind gully for a four through vacant third-man area. India 136/3.

09:07 (IST) Kohli this time pulls Southee handsomely as he latches onto that short ball quickly. India 132/3 (target 435)

08:57 (IST) Kohli means business here and he'll not let the bowler dictate terms to him. A short ball from Neesham has been hooked hard between fine-leg and backward square-leg. India 117/2 (target 435).

08:49 (IST) Virat Kohli brings up 50-run stand with Rohit thanks to a stunning straight drive past mid-on for four. Three balls later Kohli also glances Boult wide of fine-leg for a high quality four. India 108/3 (target 435)

 

08:36 (IST) Virat Kohli reaches his 10th Test fifty. India 94/3 (target 435).

 

What bottle of wine do you buy for a guy who just scored NZ 1st ever 300. It has to be a magnum. I owe him 2,he owes me 3. Idea's please :).

- Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) February 18, 2014

08:12 (IST) That's tea and India are 90/3 with Kohli on 48 not out. Another session that belonged to New Zealand! They managed to pick three Indian wickets. First the openers departed quickly after the lunch break and then Pujara joined them in the dressing room. Kohli and Sharma are left with a tough task out in the middle. 80 runs were scored in the session and India need 345 more runs to win.

08:07 (IST) First over from James Neesham and Virat Kohli drills his first ball for four past mid, beautifully timed shot that. India 84/3 (target 435)

07:57 (IST) Rohit Sharma hits Wagner for two fours in the 28th over. First he swivels and pulls him for four through square leg, two balls later, he leans in to a drive and gets four through extra cover. India 73/3 (target 435)

07:50 (IST) SIX! Short of a length ball around off, Kohli goes for the pull but is a bit early onto his shot. He gets a top edge and the ball flies over the fine leg region for a biggie.

07:44 (IST) The series has been by far the worst-ever for India's highest-ranked Test batsman - Pujara's scores in 2 Tests: 1, 23, 19, 17.

07:33 (IST) WICKET! Pujara c Watling b Southee 17. The short ball trick has worked for Southee here! He banged in two short balls and then follows up with another short length delivery angling down the leg side. Pujara tries to leave that alone once again but gets a bit of a glove on its way down the leg side on this occasion. The keeper collects the catch behind by going to his left and there's a huge appeal for a caught behind. The umpire instantly raises his finger and Pujara departs. It was an awkward angle to face and there was some extra bounce as well. Superb delivery from Tim Southee. India lose their third wicket, need 381 more runs to win. India 54/3 (target 435)

07:24 (IST) Here's wagonwheel of Brendon McCullum in his marathon 302:

07:16 (IST) Kohli 27*, Pujara 17* at drinks in the second session of play on Day 5. India 54/2 (target 435)

07:09 (IST) Pujara gets another four, this time punches it past point for four and India's 50 is up in the chase. India 54/2 (target 435)

07:04 (IST) Kohli drives Trent Boult uppishly through the gap between extra cover and mid-off. Two balls later he pulls it down through square leg for four. India 49/2 (target 435)

06:51 (IST) Pujara goes for a cut and gets four off Wagner. Just a little short outside off and he nails it through backward point. India 35/2 (target 435)

06:46 (IST) Howzzat? Fuller length delivery around off, angling across, Kohli tries to push at it but gets a faint outside edge. There is some noise and the fielders go up in a huge appeal for caught behind. The keeper is shocked so are the rest of the fielders. Well, Real Time Snicko confirms there was an edge. Umpiring has been terrific so far in this Test but this one's a bad call. Kohli lucky there to survive.

06:35 (IST) Back-to-back fours for Kohli, who first leans into a drive off Southee, next ball he punishes a short one through square leg for four. India 28/2 (target 435)

06:30 (IST) Touch fullish outside off, Pujara punches it through the cover region and finds the gap. The ball races away to the boundary rope and Pujara is off the mark. India 20/2 (target 435)

06:26 (IST) Nicely played by Kohli! On the pads, easy pickings for Kohli, who guides it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

06:21 (IST) WICKET! Vijay departs for 7! Just the second over after lunch and the Indian openers are back in the dressing room! Good length delivery outside off, drawing Vijay to play that one. The ball swings away after landing, Vijay tries to defend and gets an outside edge. The ball goes to Anderson at second slip who takes a smart and easy catch. Southee picks up his first wicket now. Vijay played away from the body and paid the price. New Zealand on top!

06:16 (IST) WICKET, Dhawan goes for 2! Boult strikes straightaway after lunch! After bowling a couple of deliveries angling away a touch, he brings the ball to go straight on. A good length delivery, whizzes straight towards the stumps. Dhawan anticipating that it will angle away once again but fails to pick this one. He doesn't offer any shot and gets hit on the pads. Huge appeal for a leg before wicket and the umpire raises his finger. New Zealand draw first blood. Remember he didn't offer any shot and the ball should just hit the stumps. Dhawan out cheaply.

06:11 (IST) Players make their way in the middle for the post-lunch session.

05:59 (IST) STAT: NZ added 586 runs after being 94-5, breaking the record for most runs added after fall of 5th wicket, which was previously held by Pakistan - 474 vs NZ in 1955-56.

05:45 (IST) FACTOID: Batting at No.8, Neesham's 137* is the highest debut score by any player batting at No.7 or lower in Test history.

05:32 (IST) That's lunch and India are 10/0 (4 overs, target 435). Excellent session for the Kiwis! They've set a target of 435 runs for India. They started off nicely today with runs coming at a good run rate. Skipper McCullum got his well-deserved triple century but fell soon after. James Neesham scored runs easily and got a ton as well on his debut. The chase looks highly unlikely for India now as only two sessions left and they are 425 runs behind.

05:26 (IST) Nice use of the wrists from Murali Vijay against Tim Southee. On middle, Vijay flicks it through the square leg region. The ball races away to the boundary rope. India 5/0 (2 overs, target:435)

05:21 (IST) Huge appeal for a caught behind by Trent Boult! Good length delivery on middle, Vijay tries to defend but misses. There's a noise and the fielders appeal. The umpire says not out. Replays show it was off the thigh pad and not off the bat. Another superb decision. India 1/0 after 1 over (target 435).

05:17 (IST) Indian openers will get a possible 3 overs to play till lunch. Trent Boult will start the proceedings against Murali Vijay.

 

Brendon McCullum scored an epic 302 while New Zealand posted their highest team total in Tests. This innings will surely go as one of the best comebacks in Tests. It was James Neesham joined the fun later on and scored a ton on debut. For India there wasn't much success, except a 5-wicket haul for Zaheer Khan.

05:09 (IST) New Zealand declare at 680/8, India need 435 runs to win in a minimum of 67 overs. The historic New Zealand innings declared with a lead of 434 runs. They came out to bat when they were trailing by 246 runs, reduced to 94/5 at one stage and then there was a record stand. A calm and composed BJ Watling and a stylish knock from Brendon McCullum ensured New Zealand don't slip further. They weren't trying many things, blocking most of the deliveries and sneaking singles when available, literally grinding out the Indian bowlers.

05:02 (IST) New Zealand record their highest-ever Test score! They go past the 671 vs Sri Lanka here at the Basin Reserve. NZ 674/8,

04:52 (IST) Play held up for few minutes as there is an issue with the sightscreen. There is something stuck in the sightscreen path.

04:45 (IST) James Neesham makes merry here, first on drives Shami for four through mid-wicket, two balls later he swivels and pulls it fine past long leg for another four. NZ 663/8, lead by 417.

04:37 (IST) Amidst all gloom for Indian bowlers, Zaheer Khan has recorded his 11th five wicket haul and 4th vs Kiwis.

04:30 (IST) WICKET! Tim Southee goes for the big hit, mistimes it completely and is caught by Pujara, who takes a well-judged high catch Southee made 11. Five wickets for Zaheer.

 

Amazing to watch Baz getting his #300 add to it the situation off the game. One of the best ever inning by a Blackcap.

- Ross Taylor (@RossLTaylor) February 17, 2014

 

04:19 (IST) WICKET! The epic knock ends! Fuller length ball outside off, McCullum tries to guide that one but gets a faint edge behind. Dhoni moves to his right and takes an easy catch. Zaheer Khan picks up another wicket. McCullum departs. Huge, huge round of applause from the crowd. He gets a pat on his back as he makes it back to the dressing room. Each and everyone is on their feet. Historic innings comes to an end. Wonderful effort from McCullum. He came out to bat when his team were in huge trouble and departs after putting them in the driver's seat.

04:17 (IST) Brendon McCullum gets the historic 300! McCullum now becomes first New Zealander to get to a triple ton. Good length delivery outside off, McCullum guides it nicely through the gully region. Times it with perfection and the ball races away to the boundary rope. He starts celebrating straightaway and there is a huge joy in the dressing room. Happy father. The crowd erupts. Massive achievement. He becomes the first New Zealand player to score a triple ton. Take a bow, B Mac!

04:15 (IST) Century on debut for James Neesham! On middle, Neesham tucks it through mid-wicket and pushes for the second. They complete the run and Neesham celebrates his ton with joy. Superb knock from the youngster. You can't ask for better than this.

 

04:08 (IST): Luck for James Neesham as he cuts but cuts hard, through the vacant third slip area for four. Three balls later, he plays with loose bottom hand and it takes the outside part of the bat and runs away through the same gap for another four. NZ 612/6, lead by 368.

03:58 (IST): McCullum pulls Zaheer through mid wicket to enter the 290s. NZ 597/6, lead by 351.

 

03:51 (IST): India's chances of forcing a result in this game are virtually gone. New Zealand seem set to bat the visitors out of the game.

 

03:42 (IST): James Neesham also looking very composed at the crease and there is every chance that he could score a century on debut.

 

03:34 (IST): Action starts on the fifth day as Brendon McCullum looks to become the first Kiwi to hit a Test triple ton.

Record-chasing Brendon McCullum's big dilemma

Just 19 runs away from becoming New Zealand's first Test triple centurion, Brendon McCullum is undecided whether to go for the personal milestone or make India bat a second time and force a victory when Day 5 of the second Test in Wellington resumes on Tuesday. New Zealand have a 325-run lead with four second innings wickets in hand at Basin Reserve. The Kiwis are also leading the two-Test series 1-0. (Read more)

India can't win anymore: Sunil Gavaskar

On a day when Brendon McCullum and Bradley-John Watling tormented India during the latter's mediocre performance on the field to pull the momentum back in New Zealand's favour, former Indian skipper and NDTV expert Sunil Gavaskar said that India had no chance to make a comeback in the second Test and clinch a victory at Wellington on the last day on Tuesday. "India can't win this game and can only play for a draw. New Zealand have a chance to win at Wellington," Gavaskar told NDTV in an exclusive chat. (Read more)

Break my record McCullum, says Martin Crowe

Already a national hero after his career-best 281 on Monday denied India (Day 4 report), a team in quest of a series-levelling win in the second Test in Wellington, McCullum could become the game's 24th batsman to score a grand triple. Crowe is one hoping that the 32-year-old McCullum reaches the landmark that eluded him 23 years ago at the Basin. Crowe missed the mark by a whisker when he was out for 299 against Sri Lanka in 1991.

Crowe said on Twitter he was "rooting him on" and praised the way McCullum was leading from the front in a record-breaking rearguard in a Test match where India dominated for almost three days. "The critical thing BMac has done in the last two weeks is control his emotions. No big smiles, just sheer focus and determination to keep on," Crowe said. (Read more)

BJ Watling proud of New Zealand's fight back

New Zealand batsman Bradley-John Watling, whose world record sixth-wicket partnership with skipper Brendon McCullum on Monday, gave the home team a crucial advantage in the second Test against India, said he feels proud of the effort as the visiting bowlers put him through a "storm". (Read more)