Published: Sep 23, 2016, 01:04 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 23, 2016, 03:54 PM (IST)
Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s live cricket blog and live cricket updates’ post of the second day’s play between India and New Zealand at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur on Friday. On Day One,saw a great comeback by New Zealand, after India won the toss in their 500th Test. Virat Kohli was quick to elect to bat on a pitch which was looking a good batting track. India threw a curve ball and picked six proper batsmen and four bowlers, apart from a wicketkeeper-batsman in their playing XI. Indian openers Murali Vijay and KL Rahul got off to a perfect start which was further pushed by Cheteshwar Pujara. India by the end off the day were meandering to 291 for 9, with Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav batting.
Vijay and Rahul added 42 runs for the first wicket, before Rahul gave away his wicket for 32 runs. New Zealand who were waiting for their spinners Ish Sodhi, Mitchell Santner and Mark Craig to strike finally had some relief. Santner first of his third wicket. Cheteshwar Pujara who had a brilliant Duleep Trophy came in at No.3 and looked solid as ever. Vijay on the other hand was yet to open up his arms, but Pujara had his foot on the peddle from the start. Both Pujara and Vijay added 112 runs for the second to guide India to 154. Santner was again the chief wrecker, getting a simple caught and bowl by Pujara for 62 runs. Indian captain Kohli played a rash shot to end his innings. Neil Wagner’s short delivery caught him in the crease, edging it to Ish Sodhi at deep fine-leg.
Mark Craig added India in further turmoil, dismissing Ajinkya Rahane on 18. It was a traditional bat-pad dismissal. It was a day that belonged to New Zealand, who played with a lot of self belief and did not stray from their plans. Mitchell Santner who was among the pick of the bowlers. Santner returned with the figures of 20-2-77-3. The other bowler who was even more impressive was Trent Boult, who found rhythm with the second ball and snaffled 3 wickets, which included that of Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha.
