India missed Cheteshwar Pujara's batting approach against New Zealand: Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble explained why India would have benefited from veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara's presence on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday, October 17. Rohit Sharma's men were dismissed for 46, the lowest innings total in Tests in Asia.

Pujara saved India the blushes on many occasions in the past but his position at No. 3 was given to Shubman Gill shortly after the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Saurashtra cricketer is trying his best to make his way back into the national team by doing well in domestic cricket.

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“Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he is your No.1 batter at that position. For the number three position, someone like Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many years playing there. 100 Test matches because he would have been there today, then he wouldn't have gone looking to hit the ball, I think. He would allow the ball to come on and that's where you miss someone like that. (It's been that) Kind of approach today. And India is certainly in a spot of bother here,” Kumble told JioCinema.

Pujara saved India the blushes on many occasions in the past but his position at No. 3 was given to Shubman Gill shortly after the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Saurashtra cricketer is trying his best to make his way back into the national team by doing well in domestic cricket.

Matt Henry stars with five-for, gets to 100 Test wickets

Matt Henry was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand as he picked up five wickets for just 15 runs in 13.2 overs. He accounted for the wickets of Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Kuldeep Yadav. The right-arm seamer got his fifth wicket when he dismissed Kuldeep to end the Indian innings. This was Henry's 100th Test wicket as he completed the milestone in only his 26th Test match.

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Meanwhile, William O'Rourke picked up four wickets for 22 runs after Tim Southee drew first blood in the innings. India will have to play out of their skins to forge a comeback in this Test match.