Kane Williamson lauds Rachin, bowlers for unbelievable effort after New Zealand draw 1st Test: We fought hard

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was a relaxed man after New Zealand managed to eke out a draw on Day 5 despite India being on top for a large part of the Kanpur Test. Williamson was full of praise for debutant Rachin Ravindra, Kiwi pacers Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson after the Blackcaps denied India a win on Monday.

Debutant Rachin joined hands with No.11 batsman Ajaz Patel to survive intense pressure and help New Zealand force a hard-fought draw in the first Test against India in Kanpur on Monday. Chasing a target of 284 for victory on the final day, New Zealand slumped to 155 for 9 due to a fantastic bowling effort from R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

India vs New Zealand, 1st Test Day 5: Highlights | Report

And with nearly nine overs to go, an upbeat India was pressing for victory in fading light. But Ravindra and Patel had other plans as the Kiwi duo staged a last-wicket resistance to deny India and guided New Zealand to 165 for 9 when bad light stopped play. Ravindra faced 91 balls for his 18 not out, while Patel survived 23 balls to be unbeaten on two.

“It has been touch and goes around this time throughout this Test. The Indian side is a formidable one, they were on top for a large part, but we hung around. All three results were in play but we fought hard and showed the fight on the last day,” Williamson said in the post-match presentation ceremony after New Zealand earned a hard-fought draw on Day 5.

A nail-biting draw in Kanpur #WTC23 | #INDvNZ | https://t.co/9OZPrsh0Tm pic.twitter.com/rUg3AFmuja

— ICC (@ICC) November 29, 2021

“Rachin is a top-order batter but is not experienced in these conditions. The two fast players we played were outstanding, kept bowling long overs and kept us in the game,” Williamson added.

Williamson also warned his team that the current Indian side is strong in all departments and with the next Test being held on a different surface in Mumbai, his team needs to prepare differently.

“We know this Indian side is a very strong one in all departments, so we have to be at our best all the time. As a bowling attack, getting overs under the belt was good. We will play in Mumbai on a different surface, so we need to prepare differently,” Williamson further said.

The second and final Test starts in Mumbai on Friday.