IND v NZ 2021: ‘They Were Only Keen On Survival’- Sunil Gavaskar Slams New Zealand After Drawn 1st Test In Kanpur

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the New Zealand team and batters for playing out for the safety of a draw in the first Test against India in Kanpur. India was one wicket away from winning the intriguing Test, while Kiwi’s last pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel hung on for more than 50 balls to survive.

Being asked to chase 284 for a victory in the first of the two-Test series, New Zealand was not even keen on going for the target, as they finished on 165/9 at the end of the day when play was stopped due to bad light despite 11 minutes still to go for the play to end.

This has led to legendary Sunil Gavaskar criticizing the New Zealand team for just playing for a draw instead of going for the target. He even labeled their batting timid and added that they were only trying to survive and not win the match against India.

“New Zealand managed to hold on by the skin of their teeth at Kanpur. Their timid batting after a terrific first session on the final day brought India back into the game, and once they started to get wickets in the second session, they simply piled on more pressure as they realised that the visitors were only keen on survival and not looking for a victory,” wrote Sunil Gavaskar for The Times of India.

Tom Latham And Will Somerville Setup New Zealand Well At Lunch, Leaving Rahul Dravid And Ajinkya Rahane Worried: Sunil Gavaskar

Nightwatchman Willi Somerville and Tom Latham had batted throughout the morning session making more than 75 runs after beginning day 5 on 4/1. Gavaskar said that the duo might have given India head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Ajinkya Rahane some anxious moments by setting up the platform for the chase.

However, once Somerville, Taylor, Williamson, and Nicholls fell in quick succession, Gavaskar further opined that the Kiwis pulled the shutters down completely and that allowed Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane to set an attacking field.

“At lunchtime, Rahane and Dravid would have been a touch worried, for Latham and Somerville had set up a perfect platform for the following batsmen to play their normal game and take New Zealand home. Then, inexplicably, the shutters were pulled down, and all that it did was allow Rahane to keep men in catching positions,” added Gavaskar.

He further stated that this drawn Test will play a role as the Test series rolls on, as a place in the final of the second cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) is at stake.

“There is a place in the finals of the World Test Championships at stake for both these finalists, and so sharing the points will certainly make a difference as the series goes on,” concluded Gavaskar.

The second and final Test match between India and New Zealand will be played in Mumbai from December 3^rd.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: India Could Have Probably Declared Five Overs Before They Did, I didn’t See Any Intent From Axar And Saha – VVS Laxman