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New Zealand's sorry tales of India

Post Eden Gardens defeat, Kiwis continue to have the tag of poor travellers to sub-continent

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New Zealand batsmen have been clearly struggling against India’s top class bowling in the ongoing Test series
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What is common between India touring Australia for Tests and New Zealand visiting India? Both India and New Zealand are yet to win a Test series in Australia and India respectively.

In 33 Tests that New Zealand have played in India since 1955, the Kiwis have won only two and lost 15 with the others ending in draws.

With the 178-run defeat that Virat Kohli and his energetic bunch of young players inflicted on the New Zealanders en route to regaining the No. 1 rank in Tests, the Kiwis have a lot of soul-searching to do.

They could not blame the Eden Gardens pitch for being doctored for spin as it was largely the medium-pacers from both the teams that had a lion's share of the wickets. New Zealand were surprised by what was on offer from the relaid surface. For, they were expecting the pitch to turn as it did in Kanpur the previous week. They ought to have felt at home with the seaming conditions.

In surrendering so meekly, New Zealanders have once again shown that they are poor travellers when it comes to the sub-continent.

The same cannot be said of India when they tour New Zealand. Though they have been troubled by the swinging conditions and the bounce of the Kiwi pitches, India have posted five wins and lost only eight out of the 23 Tests, a success percentage of 21.74 as against New Zealand's 6.06 here. In fact, India's first overseas Test series came in New Zealand under Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in 1967-68 with a 3-1 margin.

The only time New Zealand came close to winning a series in India was in 1969-70 when the teams headed to Hyderabad's Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium for the third and deciding match after the series was 1-1. The Kiwis, under Graham Dowling, were on top throughout, However rain and riots came in the way of a New Zealand series win.

Legendary off-spinner from Bengaluru, Erapalli Prasanna, who was part of the Test match, recalled the 1969 Hyderabad Test to dna on Tuesday: "We were at the receiving end. Suddenly there was a cloud burst. The pitch those days were not covered. It was sheer bad luck that New Zealand could not win. That was the only time they were almost winning. They came to Hyderabad winning the second Test in Nagpur."

Prasanna, now 76, could not exactly recall the cause of the riot.

After making 181 in the first innings New Zealand dismissed India for 89, thanks to the 40-run partnership between S Venkataraghavan and Bishan Bedi. They declared their second innings at 175/8 to set Pataudi's India a victory target of 268, Kiwis were on way to winning by reducing Pataudi's to 76/7 on the final day.

With about two hours still left in the Test, it rained for about half-an-hour. Even though the sun shone bright, it was alleged that the host association adopted slow tactics in draining the ground, thus denying New Zealand a victory.

Wisden Almanack, though, observed in its match report: "Venkataraghavan and Bedi, with 40 for the last wicket, batted bravely, but a youth, coming on to the field to congratulate the batsmen, was injured by a soldier and this incident provoked an ugly riot, in which gates were broken down, metal chairs flung on to the ground, fires lit in the stands, and the crowd attacked by an army unit."

It further wrote: "This was a match of utter frustration for New Zealand, in which India were clearly outplayed, but rain, riots, and rows with the umpires lent the game drama, without pleasure."

New Zealand have been tested not just by the Indians on the field but also the extreme heat conditions. Their captain for the second Test, Ross Taylor said: "Definitely up with hottest Test series I've been part of. It was pretty hot and humid."

His opening bowler Trent Boult said on Sunday: "These were some of the tougher conditions I've ever played in in my career. I'm not too sure what it looks like on TV but it is pretty taxing. Obviously the dryness in the wicket and in the air is pretty tough. The last session is probably the easiest session in terms of heat. You are just sapped by the time that comes around."

Taylor, however, had a smile on his lips when he said: "Kohli says it's cooler in Indore, so I'm happy."

With nothing to lose, the Kiwis will look to salvage some pride in Indore from October 8, though India will be relentless and go for a 3-0 result.

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