Debutant Ravindra, Patel save NZ in first Test thriller

Debutant Rachin Ravindra and No.11 batter Ajaz Patel have survived intense pressure to help New Zealand draw the opening Test in a thrilling finish against India in Kanpur.

Chasing a target of 284 for victory on the final day, the Kiwis slumped to 9-155 with nearly nine overs to go and an upbeat India was pressing for victory in fading light.

But Ravindra and Patel batted resolutely to deny India and guided New Zealand to 9-165 when bad light stopped play.

The 22-year-old faced 91 balls for his 18 not out, while Patel survived 23 balls to be unbeaten on two.

Tom Latham top-scored for New Zealand with 52 from 146 balls, but it was the unbroken last-wicket partnership that saved the Test.

"It has been touch and go around this time throughout this Test," New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said after the match.

"The Indian side is a formidable one, they were on top for the large part, but we hung around.

"All three results were in play, but we fought hard and showed the fight on the last day."

After a wicketless morning session, India claimed three wickets in the second session to take charge of the final day on a deteriorating pitch.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja (4-40) and Ravichandran Ashwin (3-35) took the bulk of the wickets for the hosts, sending down 28 and 30 overs respectively in New Zealand's second-innings.

"Very good game of cricket, they played really well," India captain Ajinkya Rahane said.

"I think the way we came back in the second session was very good."

Asked about his chat with the umpires when the light was being checked, Rahane said: "As a fielding team, you want to bowl more overs, as a batting unit you don't want to bat in that situation.

"The chat was about the light, but umpires made the call and I thought they were right."

India batsman Shreyas Iyer was awarded player-of-the-match for smashing a century and a fifty in his debut Test.

The second and final Test starts in Mumbai on Friday.