Cheteshwar Pujara leaves field due to indisposition

India top order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara could not take the field due to indisposition on day two of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday. A team official said Pujara was “under the weather”. Gautam Gambhir was called in as the substitute fielder for him.

“He is a bit under the weather. He has been advised rest by the physio. He will be okay by this evening,” the official said.

Pujara was India’s top run maker in the first innings with patient 87. Most part of the Indian innings revolved around him on day one. After India lost their openers and skipper Virat Kohli cheaply, Pujara combined with Ajinkya Rahane to re-built the India innings and take to to a solid position.

The calm and composed pair batted throughout the lunch session and added 141 runs for the 4 wicket before Pujara was picked by Neil Wagner. India then suffered collapse as Rohit Sharma, Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin returning to the pavilion with unsatisfactory scores.

The Black Caps ended the day one n a high with India sitting at 239/7. Day two, however, began on a positive note for India as overnight batsmen Wriddhiman Saha struck a fighting half-century to take India past the 300 runs mark much to the frustration of the visitors.

New Zealand gave a terrible response and was reduced to 128/7 at stumps. The visitors were unable to cope with Bhuvneshwar Kumar who bought their downfall with a five-wicket haul.

Tomorrow’s play will be crucial for the batting side and overnight batsmen BJ Watling and Jeetan will have to add as many runs as possible to shorten the runs gap.