It was a combative start to the Test series with New Zealand trying their bit to put India’s new-look batting unit under pressure. But the duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja with their respective half centuries bailed the visiting team with their brilliant effort with the bat. India was the happier side before the start of today’s play. New Zealand wants to take the early breakthrough and put the new looking Indian team under some pressure. We will see what happened today in India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2.
First Session
Shreyas Iyer got some quick runs in the morning and became the 16th Indian to score a Test hundred on debut. Soon after, Southee became the first overseas pacer to take a fifer in Kanpur since January 1980. Ashwin added 38 valuable and good-looking runs but was surprised by the amount of turn that led to his dismissal. Tim Southee led the fightback for New Zealand. Â An excellent show of skills from the experienced seamer to bag a five-for as he bowled a marathon 11-over spell to start the day. This session goes in the name of New Zealand. Four wickets fell in this session and all four for the senior pacer Tim Southee as he bagged his five-for.
Second Session
At the start of the second session, New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel took 2 wickets and rattled the lower order of the Indian batting lineup. New Zealand have done brilliantly well to escape unscathed. Much was anticipated from the Indian spin trio, but Will Young has been so impressive with his footwork. The pacers haven’t found the same amount of swing Southee and Jamieson got. One can understand why because Ishant exactly isn’t a swing bowler. Umesh did move the ball, but he has just had a short burst. New Zealand scored 72 runs without the loss of any wicket. Definitely New Zealand’s session.
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Third Session
This was an another session for the New Zealand. New Zealand scored 57 runs in this session. But the main thing was that they didn’t lose any wicket in this session also. To not lose a wicket for 57 overs against the highly potent Indian spin trio in home conditions is commendable. The application from Will Young on his first Test innings in India and Tom Latham was top notch. They were patient, tight, rotated strike and also got the boundaries away. Much was anticipated when India took the ball, but the calmness and the assurance in defense had got New Zealand off to a brilliant start.
What a day for New Zealand!! If Southee’s fifer was special, the openers putting on an unbeaten 129-run stand is even more sweet for the visitors. the visitors do know 216 is still a long way away. We saw Ashwin trouble Latham a bit towards the fag end. The cracks will only widen and we could so more purchase tomorrow and things could change pretty quickly. Shreyas Iyer’s debut hundred was a huge positive for India, but New Zealand will go back with a smile having owned the day. India vs New Zealand 1st Test Day 2 was totally went in New Zealand’s pocket.
