Team India’s head coach Rahul Dravid had reportedly paid Rs 35,000 to the groundsmen for preparing a sporting pitch for the first Test against New Zealand at the Green Park in Kanpur.
India and New Zealand ended the engrossing Test match in a draw after the visitors remained firm in the final session to end at 165 for nine.
New Zealand tail-enders Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel displayed a rock-solid defence in the final nine overs of the game to defy the Indian spinners.
India just needed one wicket to seal the game, but the New Zealand spinners were great at blocking the balls to deny them a victory.
In February, when the England cricket team had toured India for the four-match Test series, they were routed by the hosts 3-1. There was a lot of foul cry over the pitches, which was alleged to assist the Indian spinners predominantly.
Rahul Dravid has paid Rs 35,000 personally to our groundsmen: UPCA
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) announced in the press box that Dravid had paid to the groundsmen personally for the pitch.
“We would like to make an official announcement. As reported by news agency PTI, Mr Rahul Dravid has paid Rs 35,000 personally to our groundsmen,” the state association board announced in the press box after the match.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3/35) and Ravindra Jadeja (4/40) bowled stupendously in the final session to pick the wickets of the Black Caps.
New Zealand opener Tom Latham was the highest run-scorer for the visitors. He stitched a 76-run stand with William Somerville, who came in as a nightwatchman on Day 4.
Shreyas Iyer awarded the Player of the Match award
Shreyas Iyer, who scored 105 and 65 for India in his debut Test, was adjudged as the player of the match award.
Iyer became the first Indian player to score a hundred and a fifty in his debut Test. Only legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar scored two fifty-plus innings in his first Test.
