India off-spinner R Ashwin rued the fact that he and other bowlers couldn’t finish the job on day five of the first Test against New Zealand, as the visitors escaped with a draw finishing on 165/9.
Team India managed to take eight wickets on Day 5 of the ongoing first Test but some late drama and stout-hearted performance from visitors' batters clawed back victory from the jaws of hosts. Rachin Ravindra made 18* in 91 balls, while Tom Latham (52), Will Somerville, and Kane Williamson ate up valuable time and balls to help Kiwis draw the match.
Ravindra Jadeja scalped four wickets in the second innings while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin returned with three and in the process went past Harbhajan Singh’s haul of 417 Test wickets, to become the third-highest Test wicket-taker for India.
"We were actually keeping things under control. We were bowling in good areas and we knew if we had the time to go on and put some pressure on them, we could get the job done but the light was always going to come in the last session. There has been bad light in every single day of this Test match so we did expect it, so no complaints. Couldn't get the job done but we stuck together well," Ashwin told host broadcasters Star Sports after the first Test ended.
"The beauty of Test cricket is that you need to want it. It's really hard, it's not one of those formats where you turn up, have a good day, have a good four-over bowl or have a good 20-overs bat. There is a lot of pain, there is a lot of hard work, there's a lot of tenacity you need to bring into play. Definitely, I am someone who wants to play this format and I enjoy it," he added.
The next Test match between the two sides will be played in Mumbai from December 3rd.
(ANI inputs)
