Tendulkar, Pujara steady India after early blows on day one against New Zealand

Sachin Tendulkar in action during the first session at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal © AFP

Hyderabad: Aug 23, 2012

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Openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir departed in close succession after giving India a steady start as the hosts reached 97 for two at lunch on the opening day of the first cricket against New Zealand on Thursday.

 

At lunch, Cheteshwar Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar were unbeaten on identical scores of 12, having negotiated 32 and 41 deliveries respectively in India’s first innings.

 

Gambhir, who scored 22 off 36 balls, was the first to go when he chased a wide delivery to be caught behind before Sehwag followed him back to the pavillion after playing out a a 41-ball 47.

 

For the first time in 16 years, India were playing without batting stalwarts Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, who retired in the aftermath of their eight successive Test defeats in England and Australia, and looked watchful against the Black Caps.

 

Electing to bat, India started briskly with Gambhir dispatching a Chris Martin loosener for a boundary through fine leg.

 

Welcomed with a bouncer, Sehwag began watchfully but soon both the openers scored freely against the inexperienced New Zealand seam attack. (PTI)

 

Brief Scores: India 97 for 2 (Virender Sehwag 47, Gautam Gambhir 22, Sachin Tendulkar 12*, Cheteshwar Pujara 12*; Doug Bracewell 1 for 28, Trent Boult 1 for 33) vs New Zealand

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