'They were only keen on survival' - Sunil Gavaskar slams New Zealand for their timid batting against India in the 1st Test

The 1st Test match between India and New Zealand ended in a pulsating draw. With India just 1 wicket away from victory, Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel played out over 50 deliveries to help the Kiwis draw the Test match.

But then, former Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar is not happy with the way New Zealand approached the target set by India. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that the Black Caps just managed to hold on to a draw.

Gavaskar labelled New Zealand’s batting in the second innings as ‘timid’ and added that they were only trying to survive and not win the match against India.

“New Zealand managed to hold on by the skin of their teeth at Kanpur. Their timid batting after a terrific first session on the final day brought India back into the game, and once they started to get wickets in the second session, they simply piled on more pressure as they realised that the visitors were only keen on survival and not looking for a victory,” wrote Sunil Gavaskar for The Times of India.

At lunch, Rahane and Dravid would have been worried: Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar also added that Tom Latham and William Somerville had set up a superb platform for New Zealand, and Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane and coach Rahul Dravid would have been worried. Gavaskar further opined that the Kiwis then pulled the shutters down completely and that allowed Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane to set an attacking field.

“At lunchtime, Rahane and Dravid would have been a touch worried, for Latham and Somerville had set up a perfect platform for the following batsmen to play their normal game and take New Zealand home. Then, inexplicably, the shutters were pulled down, and all that it did was allow Rahane to keep men in catching positions,” added Gavaskar.

The 72-year-old Gavaskar concluded by stating that this draw will make a difference as the Test series rolls on, as a place in the final of the second cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC) is at stake.

“There is a place in the finals of the World Test Championships at stake for both these finalists, and so sharing the points will certainly make a difference as the series goes on,” concluded Gavaskar.