New Zealand beats India by 40 runs; leads series 1-0

India lost the first Test against New Zealand by 40 runs on day 4 of the first Test at Eden Park in Auckland. New Zealand take 1-0 lead in the two-match series

Auckland: India lost the first cricket Test against New Zealand by 40 runs after being bowled out for 366 in their second innings on day four at the Eden Park here Sunday.

Neil Wagner celebrates fall of an Indian wicket in the first Test. Pic/AFP

Poor shot selection and some bad umpiring decisions cost India dear. Neil Wagner was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers taking four wickets in the second innings as well as the first.

India, who started the day at 87 for one, lost Cheteshwar Pujara early (23). However, Dhawan and Kohli led India's charge and left them requiring with 227 runs for an unlikely victory.

But a 126-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan, who scored 115 and Virat Kohli brought India back into the match.

Shikhar Dhawan

However, Kohli got carried away and tried to pull a short and wide Neil Wagner delivery, managing only to get a bottom edge to the wicketkeeper. He was dismissed for 67.

Shikhar Dhawan scored his second Test century but was soon dismissed for 115 by Neil Wagner, which set India on the backfoot.

Ajinkya Rahane's (18) nightmarish tour continued but this time the diminutive right-hander fell victim to a poor decision from the umpire.

The visitors were soon at 274/6 after Rohit Sharma was dismissed by Tim Southie.

After that Dhoni and Jadeja got a brisk 54-run partnership, but after Jadeja was dismissed the match slipped away from India's grasp.

Dhoni, who had offered a brief resistance was dismissed for 39 and the visitors wrapped up the match after Ishant Sharma was dismissed by Boult.

Neil Wagner was the pick of the Kiwi bowlers taking 4 wickets in the second innings as well as the first.

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