Twitter Reactions: Skipper Kane Williamson's resilience puts New Zealand in driving seat against India

After the batting debacle of Virat Kohli and Co on the first day, the 200-run mark was already looking like a distant dream for Team India. Post Ajinkya Rahane’e resilience on the first day, no other batsman could stay glued to the wicket for a prolonged period of time. Amid the clouds of exclusion that are hovering around young Rishabh Pant, the southpaw tried to exhibit his buoyancy on the wicket until he was left hapless by a mix-up with Rahane followed by a runout by Jeet Raval.

It was all left to Ravichandran Ashwin to exhibit his batting skills. However, to his disdain, the off-spinner departed for a golden duck of Tim Southee, followed by Ishant Sharma who was shown the exit door by Kyle Jamieson. India’s most-improved pacer in recent times– Mohammed Shami– weaved a crucial 21-run knock to propel India’s total to 165 runs. The Men in Blue’s pursuit of amassing a massive total was going to be an uphill task considering the green pitch which the Kiwis dished out ahead of the Test.

The Indian batting force was left reeling by the four-wicket haul by Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson. New Zealand’s decision of winning the toss and deciding to bowl first undoubtedly went in their favour considering their successful heist in curbing the visitors to a modest total.

Coming on to New Zealand’s first innings, the hosts suffered early blows after the opening pair of Tom Latham and Tom Blundell was sent back to the pavilion by Ishant Sharma. The right-arm pacer put India into the driving force by scalping two Kiwi wickets. It was looking that New Zealand will also follow India’s trail of losing wickets at regular intervals until Kane Williamson braced the pitch.

Ross Taylor also stitched 44 runs for the Kiwis

The Kiwi skipper kept the scoreboard ticking and scored a vital 89-run knock comprising 11 fours. The right-hander missed his ton by 11 runs but his brilliant knock already had paved the way for the visitors to develop a lead over the Men in Blue. Ross Taylor– while playing his 100th Test– was also racing towards a sublime half-century until he was baffled by an in-swinger by Ishant Sharma. The right-hander lobbed the ball towards Pujara at backward square leg, ending his 93-run stand with skipper Williamson.

After the departure of two Kiwi stalwarts– Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor– the New Zealand scoreboard depicted 185/4; after which the pair of Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling started clicking the scoreboard until the former’s wicket was scalped by Ravichandran Ashwin. Nicholls could not judge Ashwin’s turn as he edged the ball to skipper Kohli.

At the culmination of Day 2, wicketkeeper BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme were present on the crease as hosts New Zealand established a 51-run lead over India. Ishant Sharma, who scalped a three-wicket haul was the pick of Indian bowling force while premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah failed to dazzle after being unsuccessful to pluck a wicket on the second day.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: