Chennai, Oct 6 (IANS) India A committed hara-kiri to gift wrap a 133-run victory to New Zealand A on the fourth and concluding day of the second Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium here Monday.
After the Kiwis set a target of 234 runs for victory in a minimum of 59 overs by declaring their second innings at 194 for seven, the Indians caved in for 100 without even a spark of fight bringing the match to an abrupt end well before the scheduled close of play.
New Zealand, who had lost the first Test, thus squared the two-match series 1-1.
It was not as if the Kiwi attack was extraordinary, but rather the Indian batting was pathetic. They did not apply themselves to the task when they could have at least drawn the game.
A combination of persistent bowling and injudicious stroke selection on a pitch that was decidedly on the slower side contributed to the ignominious Indian downfall where only opener Sahil Kukreja showed some gumption to last 170 minutes for 31.
It was yet another opportunity for experienced former India captain Sourav Ganguly to spend time in the middle ahead of the first Test against Australia in Bangalore later this week, but he slashed paceman Bradley Scott to Watling at gully after making just six runs as against 15 he made in the first innings.
The key wicket was that of skipper Suresh Raina who was caught short of the crease at the non-striker's end by a direct hit while attempting a sharp single.
Earlier, the Kiwis stretched their second innings well into the first session before declaring as the match appeared to be heading for a draw as the Indians had just two sessions and 22 minutes before lunch to avoid defeat.
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