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Rediff.com  » Sports » Did Team India underestimate the Kiwis in Napier?

Did Team India underestimate the Kiwis in Napier?

March 30, 2009 14:12 IST
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So India survived the Kiwi backlash and held on forĀ a draw in the Napier Test, thereby maintaining their 1-0 lead in the series.

The chips were clearly down with New Zealand, who had piled a mammoth 619/9 in their first essay, enforcing the follow-on after India conceded a huge 314-run first innings lead.

Fresh from their 10-wicket win in the first Test, an over-confident Team India arrived quite late in Napier -- just 18 hours before the start of the match.

Virender Sehwag, leading the side in the absence of the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni, clearly showed lack of responsibility. He was dismissed in both innings to irresponsible shots when the situation required exactly the opposite.

The bowling seemed to have lost direction once the New Zealand batmsen got going. The fielding was pathetic, with several catches being grassed.

And it seeemed the Men in Blue took their newly-acquired 'super power' status for granted.

Do you think India underestimated New Zealand? Or were they just complacent, rather over-confident, after winning the first Test inside four days. Tell us.

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