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IND 239/7 | LIVE Cricket Score, India Vs New Zealand, 2nd Test 2016, Day 1: Bad light stops play

India Vs New Zealand 2016 2nd Test 2016, Day 1 LIVE score updates: India look to seal series.

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Good Morning, Namaste! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Day 1 of the second Test between hosts India and visitors New Zealand at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. I am Kaustubh Mayekar, and I will be bringing to you all the live updates from this match. This Test becomes auspicious considering India are playing their 250th Tests on home soil. Now with a Lord’s like bell at Eden Garden, it only gets better. This will be followed by felicitation ceremony where the Indian players will be felicitated on the 250th Test occasion. India have already taken the lead in three-Test series winning the first Test by 197 runs. From here, it will be fresh beginnings for the Kiwis.

But before we go any further, there is a MASSIVE development. KANE WILLIAMSON HAS BEEN RULED OUT OF THE 2ND TEST, ROSS TAYLOR WILL CAPTAIN NEW ZEALAND!

If India achieved their first step towards success was with the help of their spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. They have been the fuel to the engine for the team and helped turned the scenario for India. Jadeja proved his all-round skills with his fifty in the second innings helping India give post target of 434 along with Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay’s fifties.  LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs New Zealand 2nd Test at Kolkata, Day 1

As for New Zealand, the plight seems to find no end. After Tim Southee, Jimmy Neesham has not yet recovered from his rib injury and will be missing the second Test as well. Mark Craig also became victim to injury and will be away from the entire series. Replacing him is Jeetan Patel, who had a delayed entry to the squad as his flight was cancelled. Captain Kane Williamson also got victimised to a bug and was unable to attend the training sessions. Coach Mike Hesson is hopeful of him playing the second Test. 

Mitchell Santner has been at his best form in the series not only with bat but with ball as well. Williamson and Tom Latham also contributed their bit to the scoreboard at the top. As per the recent pitch report, a slight green tinge is expected. Kohli mentioned that it very much favours the batsmen. New Zealand might want to boost their bowling unit and bring pacers into picture. Kohli’s strategies have always been surprising and this time what Kohli might bring to the table will remain a mystery. New Zealand have to do all the running if they have to gain a victory and level the series.

INDIA VS NEW ZEALAND 2ND TEST AT KOLKATA, PREVIEW by Suvajit Mustafi : Not many teams have challenged India at home the way New Zealand did in the first Test at Kanpur. Alastair Cook’s England won a series in India in 2012-13, but since then India have won 10 out of the next 11 Tests they have played at home. It could have been all 11 had the Bengaluru Test against South Africa not been a washout last year. Coming to Kanpur, despite dominating the major part of first two days, New Zealand fell victim to India’s spin twins, which has been India’s main strength, and succumbed to a 197-run defeat. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja shared 16 of the 20 Kiwi wickets that fell, and India’s 500th Test was conquered. What about Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the venue that hosts India’s 250th home Test?

The unwanted drama: It is easier said than done. Cricketers should concentrate on game and let everything else take its usual course. But is it easy to concentrate for contractual employees when the employers are on verge of being stirred from their foundation?

The debate over Lodha panel’s recommendation took a new turn on Wednesday. “You are behaving like Lords. Fall in line otherwise we will make you fall in line,” Supreme Court made it clear. BCCI are in a jittery position. There are reports of removal of Gagan Khoda and Jatin Paranjpe from the new selection panel.

Gambhir has undoubtedly worked his way into the side but the last time he played a Test for India was more than two years ago when Dhoni was still in-charge. Sticking to the topic, will Gambhir get the nod ahead of his fellow Delhiite Shikhar Dhawan?

If the conditions remain overcast, Eden Gardens has a knack of helping seam bowlers in both the initial and the later stages of the day. Shami, who knows the conditions well, will be the key and it would not be a surprise if India bring in Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a brilliant exponent of swing bowling, in place of Umesh Yadav for this Test.

LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD & BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY: India vs New Zealand 2nd Test at Kolkata, Day 1

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