Twitter Reactions: Shreyas Iyer, Saha's fifties put India in command of Kanpur Test
India recovered from 51/5 to set New Zealand a target of 284 runs.
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India need nine wickets. New Zealand need 280 runs. This is the simple equation on the final day of the first Test at the Green Park in Kanpur. The Kiwis have a record chase of 284 runs on their hands on the final day. The highest chase by a visiting team ever in India in Tests has been 276 and it will take a heroic effort from one of the batters for New Zealand to pull off a heist on a turning pitch.
Moreover, they have lost their opener Will Young already and have nine wickets in hand. Ravi Ashwin‘s turning delivery stayed extremely low late in the day and caught him in front of the stumps. Though the ball was going down the leg, the batter was late in reviewing the decision and had to walk back. New Zealand ended the day at 4/1 after 4 overs and have a huge task on their hands even if they have to draw the Test match.
Southee displays amazing skills
Earlier in the morning, India were left stunned with the Kiwi pacer Tim Southee running riot with his exceptional bowling. The hosts resumed at 14/1 and soon lost Cheteshwar Pujara with Kyle Jamieson continuing to impress. Ajaz Patel then nipped out the Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane and then began the mastery of Southee.
With the ball swinging on a foggy morning, Southee was at his best landing the ball in correct areas. He induced a mistake from Mayank Agarwal first who edged one to the slips and then Ravindra Jadeja was caught plumb in front of the stumps. At 51/5, with the lead of only 100 runs, things looked grim for the home team.
Iyer, Ashwin and Saha bail India out of trouble
Ravi Ashwin was sent to bat ahead of Wriddhiman Saha and he stitched a decent partnership with Shreyas Iyer. The centurion debutant from the first innings yet again showed nerves of steel. The duo blunted the New Zealand attack with Ashwin timing the ball very well early on that took the pressure off India quickly. Iyer, at the other end, made sure he held on and played defensively while also punished poor deliveries.
The 52-run partnership was broken soon after the lunch break with Ashwin chopping one onto his stumps off Jamieson. Saha then walked out to bat and India’s recovery in the match began. Iyer was batting extremely well by then as the duo didn’t allow the opposition bowlers to dominate. They added 64 runs for the seventh wicket as Iyer continued to impress on his debut with yet another half-century.
Run-scoring was very slow on the day but with every run, New Zealand’s chances of victory were diminishing. Just when Iyer looked good to notch up another ton, he was strangled down the leg-side courtesy Tim Southee. The visitors would’ve hoped clean India’s tail then but Saha was determined to make an impact for the team despite struggling with a stiff neck.
He found an able ally in Axar Patel who also made up for a first innings failure with the bat. Despite extending the lead beyond 250 runs, India surprisingly never tried to up the ante. Eventually, they declared on 234/7 with Saha, after scoring his first fifty in four years, remaining unbeaten on 61 off 126 deliveries. Axar also played his hand mustering 28 runs.
After fighting through all the four days of Test match, New Zealand still find themselves in a position to go for a win. But realistically, it looks impossible given the deteriorating pitch and the first session will be important for both sides on the final day. If India breaks through early, they will wrap up the game soon. New Zealand, on the other hand, would want to take one step at a time and if they lose early wickets, they might even go for a draw.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Brilliant from @Wriddhipops loved the attitude and aggression in a different way. Well played
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) November 28, 2021
Record run chase needed by @BLACKCAPS. No foreign team has chased down more than 276 in the 4th innings to win a test match. Going to be tough. #NZvIND #INDvNZ
— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) November 28, 2021
What a brilliant half century from @Wriddhipops To battle stiff neck and to show that fight and determination reflects the true character of this champion player. Keep it up Wriddhi👍👍 #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/mXyVN25DXy
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 28, 2021
This half-century by @Wriddhipops under such pressure and testing conditions, is as valuable as a test century! Terrific innings mate… Keep going! 🏏#INDvsNZ #CricketTwitter #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/B3J0Hfv55m
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) November 28, 2021
Changed his stance. Fought through pain. The resilience that defines Saha—The player…is at full display. #IndvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 28, 2021
Two quality knocks under pressure from @ShreyasIyer15 and that to on debut. Keep it up👍 #NZvIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 28, 2021
Kane Williamson either read the pitch wrong or wasn't sure about his team strength. He shouldn't have gone with 3 spinners. Neil Wagnor on the track would have been a handful. #INDvNZ (1/3)
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 28, 2021
Thanks to the curator, this Kanpur Test is interestingly poised. There's something for pacers and spinners plus batsmen too will get runs if they stick around. It's Day 4 and still it is anybody's game. #INDvNZ (3/3)
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 28, 2021
Indian team should retain @ShreyasIyer15 in the playing XI in next test 😄 #INDvNZ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 28, 2021
Only once India won after declaring the second innings with a lead under 300 – against England at the Lord's in 2021.
The lead of 283 is the lowest second-innings lead when India declared with a day's play remaining. Previous lowest was 316 vs England in 1964. #INDvNZ
— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) November 28, 2021
Standing ovation for Shreyas Iyer. What a dream Debut.🤩🤩
Saviour 🇮🇳🙌💛👏🙏❣#INDvNZ #BelieveInBlue
— AMAN GOYAL 🇮🇳 (@CricCrazyAman18) November 28, 2021
@Tomlatham2
Wt bro. Can't u tell willyoung to review Faster. willyoung u should have taken review in time. 3 reviews left what u will do them.except openers nobody playing batting. In that sense u should have taken the review. Very disappointed 🙏— Shiva ganesh reddy (@Shivaganeshred6) November 28, 2021
Don't know why but I feel for Will Young. Should have reviewed immediately!#INDvNZ
— Sarvagya Prateek (@jha_speshu17) November 28, 2021
It's very unfortunate for will young
— Shivam Barua (@ShivamBarua16) November 28, 2021
Have to get neutral umpires back into fray. Had high hopes from Indian Umpires but clearly not up to the mark. This Test match has been average at best, feel for Will Young #INDvNZ #StarSports
— Shivang Sen (@shivangsen) November 28, 2021
what a way to get out #WillYoung frustrating 🤧 and even shittier umpiring all the way this match. not to mention the commentary as well#INDvNZ #WTC23
— Arjun Jagdish (@arjunjagdish20) November 28, 2021
Will young dismissal is not fair.#INDvNZ
— Nikshith J Mendon (@Meen__Curry) November 28, 2021
Tom Latham trying to find a good way to tell Will Young he wasn’t paying attention when asked by Will Young if he should review his dismissal pic.twitter.com/UVR9HoIxVt
— Josh (@trillyelliot) November 28, 2021
Will young be like.. review ke liye pic.twitter.com/INNWVSWABr
— नहीं टूटा है गाबा का घमंड 😎🇳🇿 (@SEEYOUATGABBA_) November 28, 2021
Will Young review in time?
No he won't 😒— Surya (@sury_ayrus) November 28, 2021
Will Young now. #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SE7TGuBTrF
— Sanket D. Patil (@sankulyaa) November 28, 2021
Bad Umpiring #WillYoung
— Raj Sah (@rajsah) November 28, 2021
Will Young be like- introvert huna isliye time pe review nhi le paya😂👍 pic.twitter.com/qALqNkucTl
— #SHEKHAWAT👑 (@Shekaw014) November 28, 2021
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