New Zealand staved off the India challenge and managed a draw in the Kanpur Test on Monday.

The final pair of Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra batted out 52 deliveries to save New Zealand as dying light ensured that the first Test ended in a draw. India began the day needing nine wickets to win the match, but Tom Latham and William Somerville denied India for one whole session, before Umesh Yadav got rid of Somerville in the second session. India got two more wickets in the session. Going into the final session of the Test, they needed six more to win the match.

The final session saw the India spinners run through the New Zealand middle and lower order, with pockets of resistance led by Tom Blundell and Kyle Jamieson. However, the real heroes of the great escape were Rachin and Ajaz, who refused to give in to Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

This result ensures that the sides go to Mumbai with the series at 0-0, where New Zealand have the historic opportunity of upending India and winning the series.

New Zealand’s effort had many fans.

https://twitter.com/JimmyECiego/status/1464197152465297408

There was appreciation from an opponent too.

Former India players also showered praise on New Zealand.

For the home side, it was a story of so near yet so far.

But in the end, cricket had won.