"Test cricket mein...": Virender Sehwag hails West Indies’ grit after epic 164-over fight in Christchurch
Published - 06 Dec 2025, 04:06 PM | Updated - 06 Dec 2025, 04:07 PM
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Legendary Indian batter Virender Sehwag was in full praise for the West Indies after they delivered one of their most unforgettable performances in Test cricket. They showed a level of fight against New Zealand that stunned everyone, including Sehwag.
On a slow, tiring final day at Hagley Oval, the Caribbean side refused to give up as they batted through a marathon 164 overs to deny New Zealand a sure-shot victory in the opening Test of the ongoing three-match Test series on December 6 in Christchurch.
Virender Sehwag hails heroic efforts as West Indies shock New Zealand with historic draw
Justin Greaves was the star of the Christchurch Test. The right-hander played the knock of his life, staying calm from the first session to the last and finishing with a majestic double century. He played a stunning knock of 202 unbeaten runs off 388 balls, hitting 19 boundaries and two sixes.
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Earlier, Shai Hope played a remarkable knock of 140 runs off 234 balls as the West Indies was chasing a mammoth 531-run target against New Zealand in the three-match Test series opener at Hagley Oval. Greaves and Hopes added 196 runs off 384 balls for the fifth wicket to give their chase a life.
At the other end, Kemar Roach turned into the perfect partner, playing a gritty knock of an unbeaten 58 from 233 balls. Roach and Greaves together frustrated the New Zealand bowler for hours and stitched an unbeaten 180-run partnership off a massive 410 balls for the seven wickets to ensure the West Indies did not finish on the losing side.
West Indies' fightback stuns the cricket world
The West Indies ended the innings at 457 for 6 in 163.3 overs as they drew the first Test against the Kiwis in Christchurch. The fightback became even more special considering how the New Zealand side bundled them out for just 167 runs in their first innings.
Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Shai Hope fought hard for their fifties, but the rest of the lineup could not build around them. New Zealand tried to tighten their grip in the second innings as Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra combined for a massive 279-run stand for the third wicket.
Their dominance allowed the hosts to declare at 466 for 8, setting West Indies a near-impossible 561-run target. And they eventually pulled off memorable draw on the final day in Christchurch.
Virender Sehwag praises Caribbean spirit after stunning draw against New Zealand
But the Caribbean fighters rose to the challenge. Following the dramatic draw in the Christchurch Test against the Kiwis, Virender Sehwag hailed West Indies' character, grit, and resilience. The former Indian opener also said that Test cricket demands clever strategy, and the Caribbean side perfectly portrayed that.
Sehwag posted, X: “What a valiant effort by the West Indies to save the Test match. Great character, grit, and resilience to play out 164 overs. Test cricket mein sahi ranneti chahiye.”
What a valiant effort by the West Indies to save the Test match.
— Virrender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 6, 2025
Great character, grit and resilience to play out 164 overs.
Test cricket mein sahi ranneti chahiye.
Ravichandran Ashwin salutes West Indies trio after their record-breaking show at Hagley Oval
Even the former Indian off-spinner Ravichandra Ashwin also lauded Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, and Kemar Roach’s remarkable efforts with the bat against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval.
Ashwin posted, X: “Today happens only once in a lifetime, and it’s that day for ‘Justin Greaves.’” Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort. 👏👏 Also, Shai Hope was remarkable with the bat in both innings. ✅ Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz.”
Today happens only once in a lifetime and it’s that day for “Justin Greaves”.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 6, 2025
Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort👏👏
Also, Shai Hope was remarkable with the bat in both the innings ✅
Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz pic.twitter.com/4skhfByeyQ
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Virender Sehwag Ravichandran Ashwin West Indies National Cricket Team New Zealand National Cricket Team New Zealand vs West Indies Shai Hope Kemar Roach Justin GreavesAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ...
