The second day saw some brilliant fielding from the Indian side. Ravindra Jadeja was outstanding in the field, picking catches from every position he was stationed at. Besides, Jasprit Bumrah was back in action, notching up three wickets. He surely would have got the confidence back. On the other hand, Tom Latham was the highest scorer for his team, registering a fifty in his name. While Kyle Jamieson missed his maiden Test half-century by merely a run.
At Hagley Oval, the pitch was not doing much for pacers. Though India’s bowling attack was successful in derailing New Zealand early. The hosts put 63 for no loss at stumps on day one before India’s bowlers made a brilliant comeback in the morning session of second day’s play.
Tom Blundell and Tom Latham could add only three runs to the overnight score of 63 when the former was dismissed by Umesh Yadav. Three runs later, India had the big fish when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson cheaply. Indian skipper Kohli was pumped after Kiwi skipper lost his wicket. And, New Zealand were reduced to 69 for two.
Veteran Ross Taylor was sent back by Ravindra Jadeja as he got the edge of the bat and the ball flew to the point where Umesh Yadav was stationed.
Shami got his first wicket as he bowled Latham. It was a miss judgment by Latham, who shouldered his arms on to witness the delivery crashing into the stumps. Again Mohammed Shami was brought back in the action, this time Virat Kohli pouched a low catch, to dismiss Henry Nicholls for 14. Now, New Zealand had lost their half side.
Ravindra Jadeja’s astonishing fielding:
In the 50th over, on the bowling of Bumrah, BJ Watling was searching for a boundary and played a loose shot. Jadeja was sharp with his dive and he claimed the catch of the wicketkeeper. Watling for a duck.
In the same over, Bumrah sent back Tim Southee after Pant picks the catch.
The all-rounder picks the wicket of another allrounder. Spinner Jadeja bowled Colin de Grandhomme. Soon, Wagner also lost his wicket as Jadeja did some unbelievable stuff. He picked the catch of the former with the one-hand with great control. And, it was amazing fielding by the spinner.
Now, India was far from one wicket to end the innings of New Zealand. The last wicket was taken by Mohammed Shami of Kyle Jamieson, who missed his maiden half-century by one run.
India lead by 97 runs :
In every second over of India’s second innings, Mayank Agarwal gave his wicket to Trent Boult.
Similarly, like the first day, he was given LBW on the bowling of Trent Boult. And nothing changed for Virat Kohli also. As he was lbw by Colin de Grandhomme.
Prithvi Shaw, who scored a half-century in the first innings, lost his wicket, in the same way, getting a top edge of the bat as he handed over the catch towards the silly point.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane opted for a defensive approach which costed them. Rahane was given two lifelines as the hosts’ fielders spilt two catches of former. But soon Virat’s deputy was bowled by Neil Wagner after adding nine runs to the team’s total.
Then, India sent a night watchman as Umesh Yadav on the crease to drag the innings with Cheteshwar Pujara. But Boult bowled an unbelievable inswinger to send back Pujara. Soon after that, Umesh also lost his wicket.
The day ended with India losing six wickets and Rishabh Pant (1*) and Hanuma Vihari (5*) batting in the middle. The visitors are leading by 97 runs.
New Zealand’s first innings:
India’s second innings:
