Legendary Indian batsman Virender Sehwag was all praise for the West Indies after producing one of the most unforgettable performances in Test cricket. He showed that level of fight against New Zealand which surprised everyone including Sehwag.
On a slow, tiring final day at Hagley Oval, the Caribbean team refused to concede defeat and batted out a marathon 164 overs to deny New Zealand a definitive victory in the opening Test of the ongoing three-match Test series in Christchurch on December 6.
Virender Sehwag lauds West Indies’ valiant efforts to shock New Zealand with historic draw
Justin Greaves was the star of the Christchurch Test. The right-handed batsman played the best innings of his life, remaining calm from the first session to the last and finishing with a brilliant double century. He played a brilliant inning of 202 unbeaten runs in 388 balls with the help of 19 fours and two sixes.
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Earlier, Shai Hope played a remarkable knock of 140 off 234 balls as West Indies were chasing a mammoth target of 531 against New Zealand in the opening match of the three-match Test series at the Hagley Oval. Greaves and Hopes gave life to their target by adding 196 runs in 384 balls for the fifth wicket.
At the other end, Kemar Roach became an ideal partner with a brilliant inning of 58 not out off 233 balls. Roach and Greaves combined to frustrate the New Zealand bowlers for hours and put on an unbeaten partnership of 180 runs from 410 balls for seven wickets to ensure that the West Indies did not lose.
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West Indies’ innings ended at 457 for 6 in 163.3 overs, drawing the first Test against the Kiwis in Christchurch. This battle became even more special considering how New Zealand bowled them out for just 167 runs in the first innings.
Tagenarina Chanderpaul and Shai Hope worked hard for their fifties, but the rest of the lineup could not build around them. New Zealand tried to tighten their grip in the second innings as Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra put on a huge partnership of 279 runs for the third wicket.
Their dominance allowed the hosts to declare the innings at 466 for 8, setting West Indies an almost impossible target of 561 runs. And finally they pulled off a memorable draw on the final day in Christchurch.
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Virender Sehwag praises Caribbean spirit after spectacular draw against New Zealand
But the Caribbean fighters rose to the challenge. Virender Sehwag praised West Indies’ character, grit and resilience after their dramatic draw in the Christchurch Test against the Kiwis. The former Indian opener also said that Test cricket demands smart strategy and the Caribbean team executed it well.
Sehwag posted, x: “What a gutsy effort by West Indies to save the Test match. Great character, patience and resilience to play 164 overs. That’s the right attitude required in Test cricket.”
What a valiant effort by West Indies to save the test match.
Great character, patience and resilience to play 164 overs.
Correct strategy is required in Test cricket.– Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) 6 December 2025
Ravichandran Ashwin salutes West Indies trio after record-breaking performance at Hagley Oval
Even former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin lauded the remarkable efforts of Shai Hope, Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach with the bat against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval.
Ashwin posted, x: “Today happens only once in a lifetime, and it’s that day for ‘Justin Greaves’.” Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort. Also, Shai Hope was notable with the bat in both the innings. Exceptional day for @windiescricket #wivnz.”
Today happens only once in a lifetime and it is that day for “Justin Greaves”.
Let’s not forget Kemar Roach in this effort
Furthermore, Shai Hope performed remarkably with the bat in both the innings
extraordinary day for @windiescricket #vivanz pic.twitter.com/4skhfByeyQ
– Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) 6 December 2025
