LIVE Cricket Score, India Vs New Zealand, 2nd Test 2016, Day 2: Bhuvi takes five-for

India Vs New Zealand 2016 2nd Test 2016, Day 2 LIVE score updates

Good Morning, Namaste! Hello and Welcome to CricketCountry’s live coverage of Day 2 of the second Test between hosts India and visitors New Zealand at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday. I am Kaustubh Mayekar, and I will be bringing to you all the live updates from this match. This Test is also a landmark one as it is India’s 250th Test at home. India have already taken a lead in the three-match series by winning the Kanpur Test by a convincing margin of 197 runs. India are now looking to seal the series with a win at Kolkata but are placed in a delicate position at the end of Day 1. New Zealand will look to wrap things up as early as possible and give themselves a chance to win this game. Live Cricket Scorecard, India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test at Kolkata

New Zealand suffered a huge blow prior to the second Test as their skipper Kane Williamson being ruled out of the series due to an injury. Ross Taylor was given the responsibility to lead the side in the absence of Williamson. India won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a terrible start as they lost early wickets, which didn’t help their cause. Shikhar Dhawan was clean bowled by Matt Henry for a run after which Murali Vijay too floundered without making any impact. Henry was the reason behind Vijay’s dismissal.

Virat Kohli once again failed to lead by example as he had to walk back to the pavilion without any substantial contribution. Kohli made just nine before falling to Neil Wagner’s persistence. Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara played good knocks and rescued the Indian ship from choppy waters. Pujara and Rahane stitched a massive partnership between them and played sensibly when India needed them the most. Pujara was unfortunately dismissed for 87 and fell short of 13 runs for another century. He played a tenacious knock to bail India out of crisis.

Jeetan Patel had the prized scalp of Pujara to his name after bowling extremely well and putting pressure on the Indian batsmen. Rahane stood like a rock and brought up his fifty, Rohit Sharma had another ordinary outing with the bat as he was removed for two by Patel. His selection will certainly raise questions if he keeps wasting these golden chances. Rahane after a well-played 77 was sent back by Patel and India were in all sorts of trouble. Rahane displayed some class batting and exquisite timing, which was a delight for the fans to watch.

Ravichandran Ashwin looked good for another big score but Henry scalped his wicket for 26 further putting India in all sorts of trouble. At stumps Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten and will look to pile as many runs as possible. They have the ability bat and can play good innings and help India in posting a fighting first innings total. Saha looked good and also smashed a six to get off the mark. Jadeja has been in good touch and also remained unbeaten in the Kanpur Test.