Tit-Bits : India Vs New Zealand, 2nd Test @ Napier

• VVS Laxman (76 & 124 not out) is the second Indian batsman to aggregate 200 runs in a Test match in New Zealand.  Rahul Dravid had posted 293 (190 & 103 not out) in the 1998-99 Hamilton Test.

• Laxman (124 not out off 212 balls) posted his highest ever score against New Zealand, surpassing his 104 not out at Mohali in 2003-04.

• Laxman’s second century against New Zealand is his 14th in Tests.

• Laxman (76 & 124 not out) has recorded two innings of seventy five-plus in a Test match against New Zealand for the first time.

• Laxman has now posted fifty-plus in each innings of a Test on seven occasions – four times at home and thee times on foreign soil.

• Laxman’s tally of 200 in the Napier Test is the second best at McLean Park. West Indian, Chris Gayle had made 231 (34 & 197) in 2008-09.

• The just concluded Test is now the second drawn game between the two countries. The first ever Napier Test between India and New Zealand, played in February 1990, was also a drawn game.

• New Zealand have never won a Test at McLean Park, Napier. They have lost two Tests at this venue while the remaining six could not produce results.

• Of the 20 Tests played between the two countries in New Zealand, eight have failed to produce results. India have won five and lost seven.

• For the first time, New Zealand could not record a victory in a Test in New Zealand after enforcing a follow-on. The previous seven games in New Zealand, after enforcing the follow on, were won by New Zealand.

• India (476 for four) registered their first ever total of 400 in the second innings against New Zealand in New Zealand. India, with 305 & 476 for four, have posted 300-plus in each innings of a Test match for the first time.

• Jesse Ryder has been adjudged the Man of the match for the first time in Tests.

• Gautam Gambhir batted for 642 minutes in the second innings of the Napier Test, which is the longest Test innings of his career. He had taken 550 minutes at Feroz Shah Kotla to post his first double century against Australia last year.

• Gambhir’s knock is the longest innings by an Indian batsman against New Zealand and the eight longest by any batsman against New Zealand.

• Yuvraj’s first fifty against New Zealand is his sixth in Tests.

Tags: Rahul Dravid