India broke a 33-year drought when a six-wicket haul by Harbhajan Singh spun them to a 10-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first Test on Saturday.
Harbhajan's 6-63 wizardry, following an iconic 160 by Sachin Tendulkar, formed the cornerstone of India's first Test success in New Zealand since 1976.
That highlighted the huge gulf in Test experience between the sides where India's top six batsmen boast a combined 502 Tests between them, compared to 54 for New Zealand.
The hosts went into the fourth day at 75-3, fighting for survival after India had posted 520 in their first innings for a 241 run lead.
On a pitch which offered minimal turn, Harbhajan had India on the verge of victory midway through the middle session when New Zealand were seven for 161.
However, McCullum had other ideas, delaying the inevitable with a 38-run partnership with Vettori for the eighth wicket and 76 with Iain O'Brien for the ninth.
In doing so he ensured India would have to bat again and spared New Zealand the embarrassment of an innings defeat.
After New Zealand's recognised batsmen had failed in the first innings, they needed to produce substantial performances in their second turn at bat.
After New Zealand's recognised batsmen had failed in the first innings, they needed to produce substantial performances in their second turn at bat.
But only Daniel Flynn offered any serious resistance, atoning in some way for his earlier dropping of Tendulkar when the Indian master batsman was 13 runs into what became 160.
Brought to the crease after Tim McIntosh fell on the third ball of the innings, Flynn stood defiant in the middle for nearly five hours and faced 183 deliveries for his 67.
He survived one chance on 55 when dropped by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan.
But the relief was short-lived as he only added 12 runs before the wily spinner had the final say with a bat-pad catch to Gautam Gambhir nine overs after lunch.
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