Date: August 23rd, 2012.
Location: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad.
Event: 1st Test, India vs New Zealand.
The monsoon clouds hung heavy over Hyderabad, the air thick with humidity that promised reverse swing and late-day turn. For Siddanth Deva, walking out of the tunnel at Uppal wasn't just a professional duty—it was a homecoming.
India Playing XI: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Siddanth Deva (vc), Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c/wk), R. Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha.
MS Dhoni and Ross Taylor stood at the center. The coin shimmered in the humid air as it spun high above the pitch.
"Heads," Taylor called with hope.
It was Tails.
Dhoni: "We'll bat first, Ravi. It's a typical Uppal track—excellent for batting in the first two days, then it will start to crumble and provide assistance to the spinners. We want to put 400 plus on the board and let Ashwin and Ojha dictate terms from Day 3 onwards."
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Morning Session, Day 1:
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir provided India with a lightning start. Sehwag, in particular, looked like he was playing a T20 match in whites, treating Chris Martin's new ball with utter disdain.
Over 4.2: Chris Martin to Sehwag
Martin bowled a length ball outside off. Sehwag didn't bother moving his feet, just slashed with those iron wrists.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"Smashed! That is vintage Viru! He treats the new ball like a piece of fruit, just carving it through the covers for the first boundary of the morning!"(FOUR)
Sehwag raced to 47 before trying an upper-cut off Doug Bracewell and finding Martin Guptill at third man.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"Caught! Guptill at third man doesn't have to move an inch! Sehwag goes for the spectacular and finds the man. A typical Sehwag exit, but he's done his job."
WICKET (Sehwag 47). India: 62/1.
Cheteshwar Pujara walked in at No. 3, beginning his era as the new 'Wall'. He and Gambhir (22) added 18 runs before Gambhir edged Jeetan Patel to slip.
[Commentary - Sunil Gavaskar]:"Edged and taken! Ross Taylor makes no mistake at first slip. Patel finds the edge and Gambhir has to walk. India are 80 for 2."
WICKET (Gambhir 22). India: 80/2.
Sachin Tendulkar and Pujara put on a majestic 100-run stand. Sachin looked divine, driving with a precision that silenced the critics. Pujara was immovable, absorbing everything the Kiwis threw at him. Sachin eventually fell, bowled by a beauty from Bracewell that nipped back.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"BOWLED HIM! Absolute peach from Bracewell! It jagged back off the seam and knocked the off-stump back! Sachin is stunned. India: 180 for 3."
India: 180/3.
Virat Kohli joined Pujara. Kohli was aggressive, hitting the spinners for boundaries. He reached 58 before holing out to long-on off Jeetan Patel.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"In the air... and taken! Kohli tried to clear the ropes but couldn't get the distance. Jeetan Patel gets his second! India: 260 for 4."
WICKET (Kohli 58). India: 260/4.
Suresh Raina fell quickly for 5, trapped LBW by Chris Martin.
WICKET (Raina 5). India: 285/5.
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At 285/5, Siddanth Deva walked out. His home crowd went nuclear. He met Pujara in the middle.
"Keep them out there, Sid," Pujara said, leaning on his bat. "They are tiring."
"I'm going to accelerate," Deva replied. "Let's put them to bed before the second day ends."
Pujara fell late in the day for a massive 159, edging James Franklin to the keeper.
WICKET (Pujara 159). India: 307/6.
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Deva resumed his innings on Day 2 with a cold brilliance. He utilized the [AB de Villiers Template] to manipulate the field, turning a Test match into a personal exhibition.
Over 95.3: James Franklin to Deva
Franklin bowled a slower ball. Deva read it instantly, shuffled across his stumps, and ramped it over the keeper's head.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"Audacious! The Vice-Captain is showing off! A ramp shot in a Test match! It races to the fence!"(FOUR)
Over 102.1: Tim Southee to Deva
Deva was on 96. Southee aimed for a toe-crushing yorker. Deva anticipated it, leaned into a cover drive that sounded like a gunshot.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"That is it! CENTURY FOR SIDDANTH DEVA! On his home ground! He takes off the helmet, acknowledges the Hyderabad crowd, and looks at the dressing room. 100 off just 112 balls. A masterclass in aggression!"(FOUR)
Deva eventually fell for 115, trying to clear the ropes off Jeetan Patel.
[Commentary - Gavaskar]:"Caught in the deep! He wanted more, but he's done the damage. 115 runs of pure gold. India is in a commanding position."
WICKET (Deva 115). India: 410/7.
MS Dhoni added quick runs before India declared for 438.
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New Zealand 1st Innings:
The Kiwis walked into a nightmare called Ashwin and Ojha. The ball was turning square, and the variable bounce made survival impossible.
Over 12.4: Ashwin to Guptill
Ashwin bowled a carrom ball. Guptill played for the off-break and edged it. Deva took a brilliant diving catch at second slip.
WICKET (Guptill 12).
NZ collapsed for 159. India enforced the Follow-On.
New Zealand 2nd Innings:
The story didn't change, but Deva stepped up with the ball to rest the primary spinners, proving why he held the Purple Cap in the IPL.
Over 42.3: Deva to Martin Guptill
Deva bowled a bouncer at 152 kmph. Guptill tried to fend it off his face, but it took the glove.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"Caught behind! Deva strikes! Raw pace and bounce. Guptill had nowhere to go!"
WICKET (Guptill 15).
Over 52.3: Deva to Kane Williamson
Deva bowled a 154 kmph yorker that reversed late under the afternoon sun.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"BOWLED HIM! PURE PACE! Deva uproots the off-stump! Williamson was late on the drive! The Devil strikes with the red ball!"
WICKET (Williamson 52).
Over 58.1: Deva to Ross Taylor
Deva went round the wicket. He bowled a subtle off-cutter that gripped the rough. Taylor edged it straight to Dravid at slip.
[Commentary - Sunil Gavaskar]:"Got him! The Vice-Captain removes the Captain! A beautiful delivery that just held its line. Taylor is gone!"
WICKET (Taylor 7).
Over 60.5: Deva to Kruger van Wyk
A short, quick delivery aimed at the ribs. Van Wyk gloved it to Dhoni while trying to defend.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"Caught behind! Deva has four! He is ripping through the middle order with sheer hostility!"
WICKET (Van Wyk 10).
New Zealand bundled out for 164.
Result: India won by an innings and 115 runs.
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Date: August 31st, 2012.
Location: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.
The pitch at the Chinnaswamy had a bit of green on it, and the overcast Bangalore sky promised movement for the seamers. New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat, desperate to avoid another follow-on disaster.
NZ 1st Innings:
Ross Taylor (113) led the charge with a century of his own. India's pacers were under pressure as the ball stopped swinging after the first hour. Deva was brought on to break the momentum.
Over 35.2: Deva to Brendon McCullum
McCullum tried to charge Deva. Deva saw him coming and fired in a lightning-quick short ball. McCullum skyed it to mid-on.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"In the air... and taken! Deva outsmarts McCullum! He saw the charge and pulled the length back. Breakthrough for India!"
WICKET (McCullum 28).
Over 45.4: Deva to Martin Guptill
Deva bowled a wide outswinger that moved late. Guptill chased it greedily.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"Edged and taken! Deva has another! Guptill can't resist the width and gives Sachin a simple catch at slip!"
WICKET (Guptill 40).
Over 82.1: Deva to Kruger van Wyk
With the second new ball, Deva swung it back in sharply. The ball struck the pad before the bat could come down.
[Commentary - Sunil Gavaskar]:"Plumb! No doubt about that. Deva uses the new cherry to devastating effect. Van Wyk is gone!"
WICKET (Van Wyk 12).
New Zealand: 365 All Out.
Deva Figures: 22-5-70-3.
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India's response started disastrously. Sehwag (6) and Gambhir (2) fell to a fiery spell from Tim Southee. Pujara (9) and Sachin (17) followed as the ball zipped around under the floodlights.
India: 80/4.
Deva walked in at No. 6. He joined Kohli (51). Deva used the [Chanderpaul Template] to blunt the attack, playing with soft hands and incredible patience.
Over 42.4: Southee to Deva
Southee bowled short. Deva rocked back and pulled him flat over the square leg fence.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"BOOM! That's out of here! Deva breaks the pressure with a monstrous hit! Into the stands!"(SIX)
Deva reached his Century in the final session of Day 2, a fighting, gritty hundred that rescued India from the brink.
[Commentary - Sunil Gavaskar]:"A fighting, gritty hundred! His second of the series! 100 off 165 balls. The maturity on display is phenomenal." Deva eventually fell for 102, trapped LBW by Doug Bracewell.
WICKET (Deva 102). India: 353 All Out. (Trail by 12).
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NZ 2nd Innings:
The spinners took the bulk of the wickets, but Deva was summoned to clean up the dangerous middle order as the ball began to reverse.
Over 45.2: Deva to Ross Taylor
Deva bowled a 150 kmph delivery that reversed into the right-hander. Taylor played across the line and was hit dead in front.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"Got him! The big wicket! Taylor is trapped LBW! Deva finds the reverse swing and the captain has to go!"
WICKET (Taylor 32).
Over 52.3: Deva to Kane Williamson
A 155 kmph thunderbolt aimed at the base of the off-stump. Williamson's impeccable defense was breached by sheer velocity.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"BOWLED HIM! Williamson is stunned! 155 clicks on the speed gun! Deva is bowling like a man possessed!"
WICKET (Williamson 45).
Over 58.6: Deva to Tim Southee
Deva banged in a heavy bouncer. Southee tried to clear the fence but mistimed it to deep mid-wicket.
[Commentary - Sunil Gavaskar]:"Caught in the deep! That is the tenth wicket for Siddanth Deva in the series! A five-wicket haul in the match haul! New Zealand are all out!"
WICKET (Southee 10). (Match Wicket #10).
New Zealand: 248 All Out.
Target: 261 Runs.
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Sehwag (38), Gambhir (34), Pujara (11), and Sachin (27) set a decent base but fell intermittently to the disciplined Kiwi attack.
India: 150/4.
Kohli (42) and Deva came together. Kohli fell at 190. India: 190/5.
Suresh Raina fell for a duck. India: 210/6.
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With 51 needed MS Dhoni and Deva took the attack to the bowlers.
Over 65.1: Tim Southee to Deva
Southee bowled full. Deva drove through covers with a crack that resonated.
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"Shot! Races away like a bullet! Deva is in a completely different zone tonight!"(FOUR)
Over 68.2: Doug Bracewell to Deva
Bracewell bowled a length ball. Deva cleared his front leg and launched it over long-on, clearing the roof.
[Commentary - Ian Smith]:"MASSIVE! That has cleared the roof of the Chinnaswamy! Siddanth Deva is in a hurry! He moves to 98 with that monster hit!"(SIX) (Deva 98).
Over 69.4: Jeetan Patel to Deva
Deva on 99. India needed 2 to win.
Patel flighted it bravely. Deva stepped out and played the most delicate flick to mid-wicket. He sprinted back for the second run.
HUNDRED FOR SIDDANTH DEVA!
His third century of the series! Twin centuries in the second Test!
[Commentary - Ravi Shastri]:"HE HAS DONE IT! TWIN TONS IN BANGALORE! SIDDANTH DEVA FINISHES IT IN STYLE! 101 NOT OUT! India wins the match by 4 wickets! India wins the series 2-0! The Devil has conquered the Kiwis!"
Final Score: India 262/6 (69.4 Overs).
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The podium was set. The Bangalore crowd was chanting "DE-VA! DE-VA!"
Ravi Shastri: "Ladies and gentlemen, a 2-0 sweep! First, let's talk to the New Zealand captain, Ross Taylor. Ross, you fought hard in this test, but Deva was the difference?"
Taylor: "Yeah, look, we had them at 80/4 in the first innings. But Siddanth just doesn't give you an inch. Three centuries in two games... he's in a different league right now. Credit to India."
Ravi Shastri: "And now, the winning captain, MS Dhoni. MS, a clinical series."
Dhoni: "Very happy. The spinners were excellent as always. But the batting, especially Sid, was the highlight. Promoting him to Vice-Captain was a decision based on his maturity, and he proved it by anchoring two difficult chases."
Ravi Shastri: "And finally... for scoring 321 runs in the series, including three centuries, and taking 10 wickets... the Man of the Match and PLAYER OF THE SERIES... SIDDANTH DEVA!"
Deva walked up, receiving a massive crystal trophy and a cheque.
Shastri: "Sid, three hundreds in three innings played. You are rewriting the record books. How was the transition back to whites?"
Deva: "I missed this, Ravi bhai. Test cricket is the real test. I just wanted to contribute to the win. Batting with Virat and MS at the end was special."
Shastri: "Twin tons in a Test match. Only a handful of Indians have done it. How do you feel joining that list?"
Deva: "Honored. But the series win is what matters."
Deva lifted the trophy high, the blue streamers raining down. He had returned from injury not as a recovering player, but as a dominant force.