India Vs New Zealand 1st Test, Day 1: Visitors fight back as hosts stutter at 185/4 at tea

Hosts stutter at 185 for 4 at tea during Day 1 of the first India vs New Zealand Test.

India started second session of the first Test at 105 for 1, with Murali Vijay on 39 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 34. The pitch until then looked easy to bat on. However, with a tinge of grass, the New Zealand seamers created a slight lateral movement. Trent Boult started off the proceedings. He came round to wicket, trying to dismantle the batsmen’s defence. Pujara comfortably tackled the first three deliveries that were pitched in the good length area. Vijay, expecting the same, leaned forward and created a trigger movement. All the same, Boult fired a short ball, creating an outside edge. As fate would have it, there was no first-slip stationed, as the ball raced away to the boundary.

Kane Williamson decided to go with pace-spin duo. From the other end, he continued with leg-spinner Ish Sodhi. Before the lunch break, his figures read: 4-1-11-0. He continued putting a lid on the runs, as he started off with a maiden. Tall and accurate, he bowled in the corridor of uncertainty, spinning it away from the batters. More importantly, he kept Pujara, who dominated the first session, at bay. Another maiden followed. This time, the battle was between Vijay and Boult. When pit against the likes of Vijay, Boult was mindful that there is no margin for error. He stationed a tight off-side field, making it difficult for the batsmen to pierce gaps.

Pujara then broke the shackles, putting away an ordinary delivery behind square. Pujara’s footwork, as a matter of fact, has been immaculate throughout the innings: shimming down the track as well as rocking back when needed. FULL CRICKET UPDATES: India Vs New Zealand, 1st Test 2016, Day 1

Meanwhile, Sodhi did manage to contain the runs but did not pose trouble. With the kind of action he is armed with, it’s difficult for him to turn the ball square. For example, Shane Warne had a round-arm action, which helped him trigger lethal turn. Sodhi, on the other hand, has a straight-arm action, something an off-spinner should possess. All the same, that does not mean he can’t take a wicket. Ask Anil Kumble, and he will provide you theses, as he had a high-arm action too. Let’s not forget, he has 619 wickets to his name in Tests.

Gradually, Vijay reached his 13th Test fifty. Over the years, he has played many innings of substance for India, be it at home or foreign conditions. And on this belter of a track, he was supposed to make merry.

Pujara soon raised his bat, bringing up his 8th half-century.

Both these batsmen must have heaved a sigh of relief, as they were in and out of the India-West Indies Test series. With 12 more Tests still to be played this season, it’s imperative they score heaps of runs and cement the place. Pujara, especially, has been in a remarkable form off late, coming off scores of 166 and 256* in the Duleep Trophy. Also read: 10 things that makes Kohli and Williamson similar and the very best

Pujara then punched a back-of-length ball past extra cover to bring up the 100-run partnership. Nonetheless, the duo successfully managed to create a solid base for the middle order to register a mammoth total on the scoreboard.

Agreed the pitch has no venom in it to hunt the batsmen down, but New Zealand lacked execution. They either bowled too full or too short. New Zealand captain gave an impression that there was no plan B in place. They tried everything. They came over and round the wicket. They tried spin-pace as well as spin-spin combination. In short, nothing went right for them. However, that’s what Test cricket is all about. One needs to display belligerent show of character, fighting against the odds. New Zealand needed to do the same. They have to be painfully patient and stick to their plans. More importantly, they needed to apply them sensibly.

In other news, Martin Guptill holds the record of the best bowling average in 2016. And guess what: he has not bowled yet. He may not get a wicket, but it won’t harm New Zealand if they try him. Truth be told, part-timers usually provide a crucial breakthrough, don’t they? Also read: India’s wizardly spin attack to catch New Zealand in a spell

Meanwhile, it was Santner yet again who provided the much-needed impetus. He lured Pujara into playing a drive down the ground. Pujara lost his balance and holed out to Santner. Alan Wilkins in the commentary box said, “A soft dismissal, indeed.” He appeared frustrated with the shot selection, as he was set for a big score.

In came Virat Kohli, and the crowd erupted in joy.

He did not take too long to get off the mark. He spanked a short-and-wide delivery to sweeper cover. He then rolled his wrist and put away another short delivery past deep fine-leg. The chants of “Kohli, Kohli!” echoed the Kanpur stadium. All the same, that did not last long, as the Indian captain edged the next delivery to Sodhi at deep fine-leg. The front foot was too forward, placing him in an awkward position. Moreover, it was a cross-batted stroke that perished India’s star batsman. Also read: Tendulkar: See this batch representing India for next 10 years

Yet again, the talks of who would bat at No. 5 left us in maze. The obvious choice would be Ajinkya Rahane. No doubt there. But time and again, we see Kohli toying with the team composition.

As Kohli did by sending Pujara at No. 3, he stuck to his basics and sent Rahane ahead of Rohit.

As India tried to build another partnership, Sodhi sent the in-form Vijay back to the pavilion, pushing the hosts in further enigma. From 154 for 1, India were 185 for 4.

With 3 wickets, the second session belongs to New Zealand, with match being evenly poised.

Brief scores

India 185 for 4 (Murali Vijay 65, Cheteshwar Pujara 62; Mitchell Satner 60 for 2) vs New Zealand

Full scorecard

(Kaustubh S. Mayekar, a reporter at CricketCountry, played cricket at U-16 level. Like his idol Rahul Dravid, he often shadow-practises cricket shots. His Twitter handle is @kaumedy_)

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