Team India's woes against budding players in overseas Tests

2. India came agonisingly close to winning the first Test at Auckland

India’s tour of New Zealand 2014: 1st Test, Auckland

After a promising show in South Africa in 2013, India went on to a tour of New Zealand as favourites. The first Test played between the two sides was a great example of why Test cricket is termed the best format of the sport. India had never lost a Test match at Eden Park, Auckland before that game. Corey Anderson & Neil Wagner were amongst the players who made impressive debut against India.

After a poor start being 30/3, New Zealand scored 503 in their first innings. Anderson came in to bat at no.6 and hit some lusty blows around the park along with McCullum. He scored 77 (109) which proved very important for the Black Caps as the match progressed. In reply, India managed to score only 202 where Neil Wagner took 4 wickets.

India came back strongly restricting Kiwis to 105 in the second innings despite Wagner’s fighting effort of 14 (21) and his partnership of 25 for the 10th wicket to set a target of 406 for visitors. India were off to a flying start in chase at 222/2 before Wagner bowled a 10-over spell which changed the tide in favour of the hosts after lunch on Day 4. He removed Virat Kohli 67 (102) and Shikhar Dhawan 115 (211) & handed India a heart-breaking loss with just a margin of 40 runs.

Neil Wagner had figures of 126/8 with an impressive average of 15.75 in that match.