21 Mar 2009

India win first Test in 33 years in New Zealand

9:44 pm on 21 March 2009

The Indian cricketers have easily wrapped up the first Test in Hamilton to record their first Test victory in New Zealand since 1976.

After dismissing New Zealand for 279 runs -- exactly the same score in the Black Caps' second innings as in their first -- India took to the crease needing just 39 runs for victory.

They reached that total in the sixth over with a four from opener Gautam Gambhir.

The outstanding Harbhajan Singh took six for 63. It wasn't enough to earn him the man of the match honours, which fell to Sachin Tendulkar for his batting heroics.

The New Zealand captain, Daniel Vettori, says the team was outplayed by India in all three facets of the Test and he admits they were given a cricketing lesson.

"Even our fielding, which is something we pride ourselves on, was disappointing. Dropped catches always hurt but the ground fielding was poor as well."

India lead the three-match series 1-0 with the second Test beginning in Napier on Thursday, 26 March.