Gautam Gambhir's 642 minute vigil at the crease earned him the title of "second wall of Indian cricket" by stand-in captain Virender Sehwag.Gambhir curbed his natural instincts as he buckled down and helped India salvage a draw after the hosts enforced the follow-on.
"He (Gambhir) is developing his game. He curbed his aggression and is learning with experience. He has become the second wall of Indian cricket," Sehwag said after the game.
"We didn't bat well in the first innings but we did well in the second, especially Gautam and (VVS) Laxman. Gautam batted for nearly 11 hours and saved the match," Sehwag added.
Sehwag said it was tough for his bowlers when New Zealand batted in the first innings.
"It was a difficult job for the bowlers. The track was flat and except for some bounce, there was nothing in it. I told them to bowl in right areas and see that the batsmen commit mistakes," said Sehwag.
On the other hand, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said he was "bit disappointed" not to have won the match after "dominating for three days." It is hard work for us.
"You don't expect you will be there for three days in a row but it showed how dominant position we were in. The bowlers bowled so well in the first innings and it gave us hope that we can do the job in the second," he said.
"We batted well in the first innings after being reduced to 22 for three and enforced a follow on against a very good side. Almost all the plans we had before the match came through," Vettori added.
Asked about the pitch, he said "The pitch got easier and easier to bat. You can play another Test match on this if you want to though you expect Test match wicket to be offering assistance to bowlers and a bit of turn to the spinners.
"Whatever conditions we get (in the third Test) the performance here will give us lots of heart," he said.
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