IND vs NZ: KS Bharat takes a good low catch off Ravi Ashwin to dismiss Will Young

India were dealt with a blow before start of play on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against New Zealand as their wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was deemed unfit to take the field. He had stiffness in his neck and hence, KS Bharat took up the keeping duties at the start of play in Kanpur. Bharat has always been touted as one of the better keepers behind the wicket in domestic circuit and it didn’t take much time for him to prove his worth.

Ravi Ashwin and Will Young were engaged in an intriguing battle since the innings started. The batter was using his feet nicely to negate any spin on offer for the off-spinner while Ashwin was coming up with different tricks from his sleeves to bluff him.

The bowler won the battle eventually but it wouldn’t have happened without KS Bharat’s excellence behind the wickets. In the 67th over of New Zealand’s innings, Ashwin bowled a flatter delivery outside the off-stump which stayed low. Young stayed back a little bit and hanged his bat in defence only for the ball to take the outside edge.

However, Bharat was ready to pouch the catch low and was quick to come up with an appeal for a caught-behind. The on-field umpire didn’t budge, however, Bharat was so much confident of an edge that he insisted skipper Ajinkya Rahane to take the review multiple times. The replays confirmed that the ball took the edge of the bat and the on-field call had to be overturned.

It was a huge wicket for the hosts as they were not able to pick up a wicket in 57 overs on Day 2. The opening partnership of 151 runs was finally broken and India still had 195 runs in the bank.

Here’s the video:

Will Young impresses in his maiden outing in India

Though he couldn’t get to his well-deserved ton, Will Young impressed in his maiden outing in India. The man showed excellent skills, especially while facing quality spinners and used his feet well during his innings. His opening partnership with Tom Latham kept India at bay for as many as 66.1 overs at home on a pitch which was staying low and turning slow.

Young remained unscathed for 213 deliveries before the 214th one had his name written on it. He smashed 15 fours while also looked aggressive at times playing the ball in the air to score 89 runs which is the sixth-highest score for a New Zealand batter in Tests in his maiden innings in India.