Harbhajan, the unlikely hero for India

Spinner hits maiden Test ton, Laxman scores 91 as hosts draw first Test against Kiwis.

AHMEDABAD: Tail-ender Harbhajan Singh smashed his maiden century and VVS Laxman made a fine 91 as India staged a dramatic comeback to draw the first Test against New Zealand.

Singh hit three sixes and 11 fours in his 115-run knock and shared a 163-run stand for the seventh wicket with Laxman to rescue the Indians from a precarious 65 for six which was 15 for five earlier. Their efforts took India to 266 all out in their second innings, leaving New Zealand with an improbable target of 295 off 24 overs.

The Kiwis were 22 for one when both captains - Daniel Vettori and MS Dhoni - decided to end the match an hour before the scheduled close at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

The top-ranked Indians were indebted to Laxman and Singh, who saved their blushes against a side placed a lowly eighth in Test rankings.

“It was fantastic to get my hundred finally,” said Singh, named man of the match. “A big thanks to Laxman, without whom I could not have scored this. He was brilliant at the other end. At one stage, when we were five down for 15 runs, we were out of the game. So, we are satisfied that we were able to save this match.”

Laxman, 36, showed remarkable poise during his stay at the wicket of nearly six hours, hitting nine fours in his 253-ball knock. The veteran, India’s saviour in a number of Tests, was adjudged leg-before by Australian umpire Steve Davis with TV replays showing the ball from Vettori had deflected off the bat.

Singh, playing his 88th Test, was nearly denied his ton by Chris Martin, but the fast-bowler failed to latch on to a sharp chance off his own bowling with the batsman on 93. He reached the 100-run mark in style, charging down the track to loft Vettori over long-off for a huge six.

Singh’s remarkable innings came to an end when he top-edged a full-toss from part-timer Ross Taylor, who claimed his first Test wicket. Taylor, bowling in a Test for only the third time, claimed his second wicket when he had S Sreesanth caught behind in his next over to bring an end to India’s innings shortly after tea.

“I am proud how the guys stepped up at times when we needed them,” said Vettori. “Jesse [Ryder] and Kane [Williamson] with the bat, and Martin with the ball gave us a small chance of victory. Unfortunately it was always going to be difficult with the injuries. It’s important we continue from this performance, we can’t afford to rest on whatever laurels we have from here.”

The second Test will be played in Hyderabad from November 12 while the third begins in Nagpur from November 20.

Daniel Vettori

“I’m proud how the guys have stepped up when we needed them. It was always going to be difficult with the injuries we have had. We’ll have to call in replacements, and we need a team that can stand on the park.”

MS Dhoni

“Laxman and Singh rescued us. We knew what Laxman is capable of, but we needed Singh also. We did our best to make this match interesting after our batting collapsed. We hope the next Test doesn’t need our help.”

Harbhajan Singh

“It was my dream to score a Test hundred. But I never dreamt I would be the man of the match for my batting, not in Tests. I couldn’t celebrate much because my hands were sore after batting that long.”

Gary Kirsten

“The performances speak loud: 23 Tests, two losses, 12 wins. When you look at the five top-ranked Test teams, you know why India are at the top. But to remain there we need to continue performing.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2010.