New Zealand take upper hand on day 1 of 2nd Test

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Picture Courtsey: India TV

It was another good bowling effort by New Zealand pacers as they take upper hand on the 1st day of 2nd Test match played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch on Saturday.

In a delayed start to the Test match, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and decided to field first. Prithvi Shaw looked in good touch playing with positive intent taking on Trent Boult and Tim Southee. Trent Boult got the breakthrough for New Zealand dismissing Mayan Agarwal which swung. Agarwal took review which was given out and umpire decided to review it, the decision stood. Shaw made the batting look with aggressive stroke play. At the end of first hour, India posted 50 for 1.

After the drinks break, Shaw continued his superb intent and created pressure on Kiwis pacers. The youngster reached his fifty off 61 balls to become 2nd youngest batsman to score a half-century in New Zealand after Sachin Tendulkar. When things were looking good for India, Tom Latham produced a one-handed catch at slips to dismiss Shaw for 54. Shaw and Pujara added 50 runs for the 2nd wicket. India went into lunch break at 85 for 2.

India were dealt a massive blow as Virat Kohli poor form continued as he was dismissed by Tim Southee with in-swinger. The umpire gave it out and captain decided to review it, it was stood as it out. Pujara hit the loose ball away for boundaries which created pressure on Kiwis bowlers. Ajiyanka Rahane played with solid defence but played a loose stroke to be dismissed by Tim Southee to be in trouble at 113 for 4. Hanuma Vihari came to the crease and played with positive intent. He smashed Boult for 3 fours in an over. Pujara showed his class with good stroke play. Pujara reached his fifty off 117 balls and looked solid as ever. Hanuma Vihari created pressure with attacking stroke play and completed his fifty off 61 balls. Hanuma Vihari played a poor stroke at the stroke of tea break to leave India at 194 for 5 at tea. Vihari and Pujara added 81 runs for the 5th wicket.

The third session started poorly as Cheteshwar Pujara played a poor stroke to be dismissed for 54. Rishabh Pant was dropped twice by Kiwis fielders and then was dismissed by Jamieson. Jamieson created panic among the Indian batsman to pick his first five wicket haul in Test matches. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah added 26 runs to be bowled out for 242 runs. India’s last 6 wickets fell for just 48 runs. Trent Boult and Tim Southee picked 2 wickets each.

New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell struggled with some inside edges which went to boundaries and went past the bat. Umesh Yadav, Bumrah and Shami did a decent job but could not pick any wickets. Both looked in good touch to take them to 63 for 0 at the end of day 1.

New Zealand 63 for 0 in 23 overs ( Tom Blundell 29*, Tom Latham 27*) trail India 242 in 63 overs ( Vihari 55, Shaw 54, Jamieson 5/45) by 179 runs.

 

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