NZ in India: Memorable moments in Tests

There are certain interesting aspects in the fortunes of both teams. New Zealand might have felt on top of the world after having defeated Australia in a Test at Hobart, in December 2011. It was their first win in Australia after 26 years and many felt that the Kiwis were destined for greater things. Instead, the decline from that peak has been so severe that New Zealand have slid to No.8 in both Tests and ODIs as well to No.7 in the T20Is. Having been beaten comprehensively across all formats in the recent tour of the West Indies, New Zealand arrive on Indian shores low on confidence. The other worrying aspect is that they have not defeated India in Tests since 1988, when Sir Richard Hadlee took 10 wickets at the Wankhede stadium to defeat India by 136 runs. Looking at the current form of the Kiwis, it looks like the agony is all set to continue. India, on the other hand, are playing a Test match after a gap of seven months. Year 2011 will go down as the worst year for them in Tests, as they were whitewashed 4-0 in both England and Australia. However, India seem to have gone back to the days of the 90's when they were kings at home and kittens abroad. India do not have an away series till 2013 and that gives them plenty of time to pummel their opponents at home. They will be high on confidence against a New Zealand team that will be missing the services of Daniel Vettori. Over the course of 56 years, New Zealand have played nine Test series in India. They are yet to win a series in India and have registered only two Test wins against them. However, both teams have had some memorable moments during the last 12 years. We take a look back at some memorable moments from the last four Test series. 1.) The Karnataka Boys give a debutant a rough time (1st Test Bangalore 1995)This Test match is remembered for several things. This was the debut for Lee Germon and he became the first person to lead a established Test side on debut. He was captain at a time when New Zealand's cricketing fortunes in Tests were declining. On a helpful pitch in Bangalore, New Zealand found the going tough against some great bowling from the two legends of Karnataka, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath. Kumble ended up picking nine wickets in the match, while Srinath picked up five as India romped home to a win by eight wickets. For the Kiwis, this was their sixth loss in eight Tests and Germon indeed had a tough baptism by fire.2.) Nash leaves a huge gash on India (1st Test Mohali 1999)Dion Nash made a name for himself in this Test match. On a damp pitch in Mohali, India were put into bat and were completely blown away by Nash's accurate swing bowling. His 6/27 bowled India out for 83, equaling their lowest total at home. However, the pitch became a slow turner and India made amends for their poor show by notching up 505/3 declared in the second innings, with centuries from Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. The match ended in a draw but the first day performance of Nash will be etched in the minds of cricket lovers for a long time. 3.) The Kiwis pile on the agony and suffer some as well (2nd Test Mohali 2004)On a batting paradise, records were broken on a regular basis by the Kiwi batsmen. Four of the top order batsmen scored centuries as New Zealand ended up on 630/6 declared, their highest ever total overseas. This was the second time in New Zealand's Test history that four batsmen had scored a century in an innings, the first time being against Australia at Perth in 2001. New Zealand had India in a spot of bother but they could not overcome Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman who scored attractive centuries. Laxman again defied the Kiwis in the second innings as India clung onto a dull draw. However, the talking point of the match was Mark Richardson and his comical way of falling down after suffering a cramp. Another talking point was the way in which all the players laid flat on the pitch following an invasion by a group of Bees in the course of the match. 4.) The battle royale between the Phantom and the Turbanator (1st Test, Ahmedabad 2010)This was not a conflict between two superheroes. This was a conflict between a bowler who could hardly bat and a spinner who played some occasional good knocks. Looking at how this Test match panned out, one can safely say that the battle between these two players ended in a stalemate. India chalked up 487 in the first innings thanks to centuries from Sehwag and Dravid. New Zealand responded with 459 as Kane Williamson scored a century on debut. In the second innings, Chris Martin ripped through the Indian top order as he left them reeling at 15/5. However, Harbhajan Singh changed the course of the match by sharing a 163 run stand with VVS Laxman. In the process, he notched up his maiden Test hundred as India saved the match.