India ended day 1 of the second test match on 239 for 7 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata just finished a few minutes ago. Apart from Rahane and Pujara partnership, the Indian batsmen failed to put pressure on New Zealand bowlers.
- Fall of three big wickets in the first session
India won the toss and choose to bat. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay came to open the innings today. Shikhar Dhawan disappointed again as he was dismissed for 1 run by Matt Henry. Vijay and Pujara tried to steady the innings with 27 runs partnership before Vijay was dismissed for 9. India’s captain Virat Kohli again disappointed with a poor stroke. He was dismissed for 9 with India in big trouble at 46 for 3. At the end of the first session, India scored 57 for 3.
- Excellent partnership between Pujara and Rahane
After the fall of three early wickets, Pujara and Rahane played cautiously. Both players have a solid technique and just showed how to play on a tough wicket. After the lunch break, Pujara completed his half century and Rahane remained not out on 47. Pujara and Rahane played wonderful strokes after the tea break. Both of them put on 141 runs for the fourth wicket before Pujara was dismissed for 87.
- Brilliant comeback by New Zealand in the third session
After going wicketless in the second session, the New Zealand bowlers made an excellent comeback into the match. After Pujara was dismissed for 87 by Wagner, Jeetan Patel picked up two important wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rahane to leave India in big problems at 200 for 6. Ashwin who was looking good was dismissed for 26 runs. The pick of bowlers for New Zealand was Henry who got 3 wickets, while Jeetan Patel struck twice which has left India 239 for 7 down.
- Failure of other Indian batsmen
Apart from Rahane and Pujara none of the Indian batsmen contributed much. In the morning session, Dhawan, Vijay, and Kohli went cheaply. After a long partnership between Pujara and Rahane, Rohit Sharma fell for 2. Rahane who looked settled was dismissed for 77 runs. The Indian batsmen played poor strokes which led to their dismissals. Dhawan who brought in was dismissed bowled; Kohli was dismissed playing a wide ball.
- Superb bowling by New Zealand bowlers
The New Zealand bowlers did an exceptional job of restricting Indian team to 239 for 7 on day 1. The pitch had something for fast bowlers. Matt Henry picked Dhawan and Vijay with the first new ball. The New Zealand fast bowlers troubled the Indian batsmen. The spinners Jeetan Patel and Mitchell Santner bowled with great control, not allowing the Indian batsmen to score runs freely. After picking Pujara’s wicket, New Zealand bowlers came back well and put the pressure right back on India reducing them to 239 for 7. With Saha and Jadeja at the crease, the Indian team would be hoping to put 300 runs total to put pressure on New Zealand batting. Apart from Jeetan Patel, all the other New Zealand bowlers went for fewer runs.