New Zealand are looming as the popular dark horses for the cricket World Cup.
Brendon McCullum was on 281, his highest Test score and the second highest by a New Zealander, at the close of play on Day 4 after having shared a world record stand of 352 runs for the sixth wicket with wicketkeeper BJ Watling who made 124.
Inspired by captain Brendon McCullum's match-saving 281 runs, New Zealand turned the match on its head -- the hosts taking a 325-run lead at the end of the fourth day's play at Basin Reserve India bowlers only managed to take one wicket in the day -- that of JB Watling -- and Shikhar Dhawan was clueless when questioned about the performance of India's bowlers.
Images from the Day 4 of the second and final Test between New Zealand and India, at the Basin Reserve, in Wellington, on Monday.
An exhausted Brendon McCullum stood on the cusp of history on Monday after he had saved the second Test against India and set up his side up for a tilt at what would be an astounding victory on the fifth and final day.
The cricketing cliche of taking each ball on its merit and then switching off to deal with the next was never more appropriate on Monday as Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling batted New Zealand into a strong position in the second Test against India.
If MI have their problems to sort out, having lost at the death in all three games so far, RCB too have their own shortcomings to address with only one win in three games under their belt.
Brendon McCullum struck a fighting century, Indian fielders did what they are best at (read: dropping catches) and there are still two days to go in this 2nd Test at Wellington.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum stubbornly provided a glimmer of hope for his side on the third day of the second Test against India as he battled to his ninth Test century to thwart the visitors' push for a series-levelling victory on Sunday.
Images from the Day Three of the second and final Test between New Zealand and India, at the Basin Reserve, in Wellington, on Sunday.
'With this wicket, the best method of attack against the Indian side is to roll out another seamer'
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was a relieved man after his decision to not enforce the follow-on proved fruitful, as they beat India by 40 runs in the 1st Test in Auckland on Sunday.
Rajneesh Gupta presents record by each country and players against India.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and New Zealand, at Auckland, on Thursday.
Delighted after drubbing India 4-0 in the just-concluded ODI series, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has called it a ground-breaking triumph for his side and the most satisfying of his career so far.
Goa (India) clinched gold in the 3rd Lusofonia Games after edging Mozambique 3-2 in a thrilling final at Nehru stadium in Margao, on Tuesday.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won applauds for his innovative captaincy during the recently held World T20 in India. The Kiwi star will now be donning a new role, that of a solid middle-order batsman for his Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad. Williamson along with India's Virat Kohli, Aussie captain Steven Smith and Joe Root of England are considered to be most technically correct batsmen in the present era. Catch him in a chat with IPLT20.com.
Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, has said the wickets of Virat Kohli and Dhoni proved crucial in the second one-dayer against India at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has said his team delivered at "key times" under pressure during their 15-run victory against India in the second cricket one-dayer in Hamilton to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
India will have to contend with some hostile and aggressive fast bowling in the first One-dayer, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum warned on Saturday.
Delhi Daredevils bowling unit came a cropper as they failed to defend a competitive 178 against Chennai Super Kings, but opener Murali Vijay said that the bowlers should be given credit.
Praising Brendon McCullum for his aggressive style of leadership, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee feels that the New Zealand captain has set a new benchmark in world cricket for others to follow.
McCullum, 37, played for the two-time IPL champions in two separate stints and also represented Trinbago Knight Riders, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise that is owned by the same parent company Red Chillies Entertainment.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum has been awarded Sir Richard Hadlee medal.
Brendon McCullum's dismissal in the final over of the day put Australia firmly in control of the first Test in Wellington on Sunday, as New Zealand were reduced to 178-4, still 201 runs behind the tourists' mammoth first innings of 562.
Check out how these cricketers decorate their bodies.
Justin Thomas clinched his 13th PGA Tour victory on Sunday, winning the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational by a three-stroke margin and claiming the world number-one ranking in the process. Danielle Kang held her nerve to claim a one shot victory over France's Celine Boutier at the Drive On Championship on Sunday, as the LPGA Tour made a dramatic return from a near six-month COVID-19 shutdown.
Jasprit Bumrah produced one of the finest death overs in the history of the Indian Premier League as Mumbai Indians nearly self-destructed before edging out Gujarat Lions via the Super Over, in the Indian Premier League, in Rajkot, on Saturday.
Record-breaking batsman Aaron Finch thinks a first win in any format in six months will give Australia a huge dose of much-needed confidence after the disappointment of the Ashes defeat.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has claimed that his side has got some plans for Brendon McCullum.
Former Australian pacer Brett Lee, on Thursday, hinted that he is keen on mentoring Indian bowlers in the near future if asked to do so.
Images from the Champions League T20 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Otago Volts in Mohali, on Friday.
Images from the CLT20 match between Faisalabad Wolves and Otago Volts in Mohali on Tuesday.
The IPL Players' draft to allow two new franchises based in Pune and Rajkot pick 10 players of their choice will be held at the Mumbai Cricket Association's clubhouse in the Bandra-Kurla Complex on December 15.
Gibbs back India, England as contenders for ODI World Cup
