NAPIER, New Zealand, Dec 10 (AFP) - India suffered a dispiriting seven wicket defeat here Thursday at the hands of a provincial team which last defeated an international side 25 years ago.
The match against a Central Districts XI - who toppled Pakistan in 1973 - was the opening event of India's three test tour of New Zealand.
Central captain Craig Spearman guided the victory by scoring 86 and supported by Jarrod Englefield 40 not out as Central reached their target of 158 halfway through the middle session on the fourth and final day.
Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin put a brave face on the defeat, saying his batsmen would be better for the experience and he was confident they would perform better in the four-day game against Wellington, starting on Saturday.
We play a lot of cricket and sometimes we have an off day or so. We should play better in Wellington. We just need to apply ourselves a bit better,'' he said.
Central began the day at 73 for two but rain momentarily threatened to prevent them from grabbing a deserved victory when only two overs were possible in the morning session.
The rain cleared during the lunch break and they could press on to claim victory.
After making 85 in the first innings Spearman was determined to reach three figures in his second knock and be there at the end to celebrate Central's epic win.
However, after taking two boundaries off Robin Singh he gloved an attempted hook shot to wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia.
"The win was the important thing and I'm absolutely stoked we have pulled a victory off over an international side of the calibre of India,'' Spearman said.
"I was happy with my batting. I'm always happy to score 80 but it would have been nice to kick on and get the hundred. The ball was there to hit but for some reason I gloved it.''
Spearman said his non-selection in the New Zealand first test team to play India had not been a factor in his outstanding batting double.
With new test opener Matthew Bell assured of an extended chance to prove himself, Spearman's immediate test prospects look slim.
However, he did not dismiss the prospect of batting down the order.