India tour of New Zealand, 2009

The victorious Indian cricket team was appreciated by the President of India, Pratibha Patil for its efforts towards the test series win at New Zealand.

India's Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said Tuesday a magnificent team effort had led to the country's first series win in New Zealand for four decades.

India's opening batsman Gautam Gambhir's near faultless 167 against New Zealand Sunday has highlighted the purple patch of form he hit since returning to the Test side last year.

New Zealand were at the receiving end of fiver Zaheer Khan's devastating spell of seam bowling but their middle order batsman Ross Taylor has no qualms in praising the Indian, saying the strike bowler used his shortened run-up to lethal impact.

Harbhajan Singh has bailed out India from trouble with his willow more than once including in the third Test against New Zealand here, but the feisty off-spinner yearns to score a ton and is upset that he could not convert his half-century on Friday into

India have vowed to chase victory in the third and decisive cricket Test against New Zealand starting here Friday, rather than seal the series by seeking a draw.

The Indian cricketers who were basking under the sunny New Zealand weather, were sent to shivers when they arrived at Wellington.

Following his match-saving century in the second Test at Napier, VVS Laxman moved up six places to 15th in the ICC test rankings for batsmen.

MS Dhoni was unable to play during the 2nd test as he was affected by a sore back.

New Zealand have added young pace bowler Tim Southee to their squad for the third Test against India starting here on Friday.