Harbhajan Inspires India To Big Win In Hamilton

Harbhajan Inspires India To Big Win In Hamilton

Harbhajan (centre) is congratulated after taking six wickets.

©REUTERS/Nigel Marple (NEW ZEALAND). Picture supplied by Action Images

India 520 (Tendulkar 160, Gambhir 72, Dravid 66) & 39-0 beat
New Zealand 279 (Vettori 118) & 279 (McCullum 84) by ten wickets
1st Test, Hamilton, day four: stumps
Scorecard
By Jim White

Harbhajan Singh spun India to their first win in New Zealand since 1976 as they wrapped up a ten-wicket win in Hamilton with more than a day to spare.

After a majestic 42nd Test century from Sachin Tendulkar handed India a huge lead, Harbhajan picked up six for 63 as New Zealand were bowled out for 279, the same score they managed in their first innings.

Daniel Flynn (67) and Brendon McCullum (84) scored defiant half-centuries as they battled gamely to save the game but were unable to do so thanks to the brilliance of Harbhajan.

Munaf Patel finished with two wickets, Zaheer Khan and Yuvraj Singh one apiece.

India then raced to 39 without loss in 5.2 overs to seal the win, Gautam Gambhir making 30 not out in just 18 balls.

Day one centuries for Daniel Vettori (118) and Jesse Ryder (102) rescued New Zealand after they were reduced to 60 for six before lunch. They never really recovered.

© Cricket World 2009

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