5 Instances of Indian team losing to domestic teams on away tours

3. Indians vs Central Districts in 1998-99 (First-Class)

India took on Central Districts in their first match on the tour of New Zealand in 1998-99. The Indian team played the game at the McLean Park with a full-strength batting line-up. But they were reduced to 20/5 with all of their top five getting out for single figures. Indians were bundled out for only 103, a total which was overhauled by the home team losing only one wicket. Skipper Craig Spearman top-scored with 85 while Matthew Sinclair and Jarrod Englefield made 52 and 63 respectively.

The Central Districts were cruising at 236/3 thanks to three individual fifties from their top four but collapsed to 336/10 losing seven wickets for 100 runs. Sachin Tendulkar came to bat at No.7 just before lunch interval on day 3. By that time, India lost half their side for only 133 runs and were still 100 runs behind home team’s total. Tendulkar took on the Central Districts with his aggressive stroke play as Indians reached 327/5 by Tea break smashing as many as 177 runs in the second session.

He raced to 120 by scoring more than 100 runs in a single session. He got perfect support from Nayan Mongia as he scored 79 with 10 boundaries to share a 201-run partnership with Sachin. The master-blaster got to his fifty in only 33 balls and completed his ton in only 81 deliveries. In another 38 balls, he brought up his 150-run mark as India’s lead crossed 100. Sachin finally got out in the bowling of the off-spinner Campbell Furlong whom he dominated through his innings.

Tendulkar smashed 20 fours and three sixes on his way through to a 120-ball 154. Furlong ended up with four wickets but conceded 177 runs in only 24 overs. Indians were eventually bowled out for 390 and set a target of 158 runs to Central Districts. They lost a couple of early wickets in the final session on 3rd day but got over the winning line losing only three wickets as Spearman struck 85 from 100 balls with 13 boundaries.

A total of nine players except for Debasis Mohanty and Robin Singh played for the Indian side during the 2nd Test of the series (1st Test match was abandoned due to rain). Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble were the ones who missed the FC game against Central Districts but featured in Wellington Test replacing Robin and Debasis. Robin Singh, however, got a chance to play in the 3rd Test and final game of the Test series by replacing Harbhajan Singh.