IND v NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Review: Encounter evenly poised at end of day one

Before the second IND v NZ Test began, New Zealand was dealt with a series of severe blows in the form of injuries. The biggest of these issues saw Kane Williamson ruled out courtesy of an illness. While Ross Taylor borrowed Williamson’s black jacket to greet India skipper Virat Kohli at the toss, the Kiwis selection committee had taken a few bold calls.

Ish Sodhi, who picked just the three wickets was out with the Kiwis bringing in the third pacer in the form of Matt Henry. Jeetan Patel, the ‘home guard’ of sorts for New Zealand made his way in for the injured Mark Craig. However, in spite of this, the biggest news as far as many were concerned came from the Indian camp. Shikhar Dhawan was picked ahead of the 34-year old Gautam Gambhir who had been recalled from oblivion to battle with the Kiwis at the expense of the injured KL Rahul.

Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to have a bat first in spite of the green wicket. Perhaps his decision was fuelled by the encouraging signs shown by the Indian batsmen in the second innings. However, the masterstroke was not to happen this time around. In fact, the plan the Indians laid out was heavily mauled over by the brilliance of Trent Boult and Matt Henry.

Sure enough, Dhawan was the first to go. An inswinger from Henry, bowling at a fairly decent clip of pace breached the defenses of the 31-year old. Dhawan chopped onto his stumps after pocketing the solitary run to his name, twitter took a massive smashing with tweets pouring in favor of the 34-year old Gambhir, docked in the yellow vest and a few bottles of water by his side and shades on, awaiting his call for the drinks break.

Also check out – Twitter Reactions: Shikhar Dhawan fails with the bat yet again

Although things simmered down with the presence of Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle, Murali Vijay looked absolutely uneasy when it came to facing the vicious Trent Boult. The 27-year old left-arm pacer had his tail up, and Vijay was feeling the heat. His expressions would have been as cool as a cucumber, but, deep down, he perhaps knew that he was next in line to lose his wicket.

The off-stump has been one of the problems many batsmen have failed to address in their careers thus far. Sure enough, Murali Vijay, amid all the class of his batting nicked one to the secure gloves of BJ Watling positioned at the back of the stumps.

One of the shining lights as far as the Indians were concerned was the fact that Pujara was in his element. Whether it was self-motivation or the pep talk from Virat Kohli, it seemed to be working. He was smashing bowlers to the fence at will. He managed to thread 7 boundaries en route to his hard-fought score of 31, something he took 80 patient deliveries to score.

Trent Boult was, however, far from finished. He snapped up the important wicket of Virat Kohli when Tom Latham plucked a catch out of thin air at gully. Thus, the 27-year old Indian skipper lost his wicket a few minutes prior to the start of the lunch break courtesy of yet another rush of blood. The Indians took lunch at 57/3 with Anil Kumble needing to take a call and tweak the batting plans shortly after lunch.

Sure enough, the plans changed as Rahane and Pujara, two of India’s perhaps most reliable batsmen went about stitching a partnership after their firs three wickets fell away. Rahane led the charge as he negotiated the spinners by putting the odd ball away to the fence.

After a long and patient wait, Cheteshwar Pujara got the ball away to the fence to bring up his much-anticipated half-century. At the other end, runs were coming rather freely from the bat of Ajinkya Rahane as the Indian vice-captain impressed with a well-structured 47 and managed to remain unbeaten at tea. The duo managed 91 runs and kept their wickets intact.

The post-lunch session began well for the Indians in a sense that Pujara and Rahane got off to a good start. The highlight of the first half-hour of the encounter saw Ajinkya Rahane reach his half-century in a matter of few minutes.

However, it was Jeetan Patel, the 36-year old workhorse who was making his way back into the side, provided the spark the Kiwis were most certainly awaiting. Neil Wagner proved to be an immense help to Ross Taylor when he denied Cheteshwar Pujara a well-deserved century.

Ajinkya Rahane however, batted for a while before a faster delivery from Jeetan Patel eventually removed him. Rohit Sharma showed some grit for the most part of his stay at the crease, but, the fact of the matter remained that his tough run saw him become Patel’s second victim.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha signaled some intent whilst batting on his home ground by smashing a massive six over mid-wicket. However, Matt Henry succeeded in trapping Ravi Ashwin leg-before a few minutes before play was called off due to bad light.

As things stand, the Indians have 239 runs to their name with 7 wickets lost. However, in spite of this, the Kiwis have their noses in front of their hosts by a sliver.

Brief Scores:

India, 1st innings: 239/7 (C Pujara 87; M Henry 3/35)