Upset with team’s inability to capitalise in New Zealand: MS Dhoni

The last time India won a Test abroad was in the West Indies, the first Test at Kingston in June 2011. Since then, they have lost 10 of their 13 Tests with two of the three draws coming on that Caribbean tour. On Sunday, they raised hopes of ending the barren run by pulling off a sensational
chase, only to lose their way in the end.

Although India might look positively at how close they came to pulling off the massive fourth innings target of 407, the batsmen should take the blame for not completing the job after their bowlers provided the opening by cheaply dismissing New Zealand in the second innings.

Coming on top of the 0-4 loss in the ODIs, it leaves the visitors facing more questions about the inability of the batsmen to convert talent into performances.

In South Africa, India could not drive home the advantage on the final day of the first Test. A batting collapse allowed the Proteas to win the Durban Test by 10 wickets.

Although they were set 407 for victory at the Eden Park, where India had never lost in four previous games, it seemed the visitors could get an unlikely win when they were cruising at 222 for two. Ironically, it was the well-set Virat Kohli’s dismissal that gave the Kiwis a foothold in the game.

Once Shikhar Dhawan also fell to the old ball, it provided the opportunity for the host pacers to strike with the new ball.