Pacer Ishant Sharma, who replied to the news of being dropped from One-day International squad by grabbing a six-wicket haul on day 1 of the second and final Test match, propelled India into a driver’s seat against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Ishant Sharma, who is dropped from the team for the Asia Cup and also for the World Twenty20 scheduled later this month, made the ball talk and had Kiwis hooping all over the place with his seam bowling. Ishant returned with figures of six for 51 as the hosts were bowled out for a paltry socre of 192 all at the Basin Reserve.
The other bowler, who impressed today with his performance was, Mohammed Shami as he complemented Ishant Sharma with a four-wicket haul of as skipper MS Dhoni‘s choice to bowl first after winning another vital toss was justified by the duo.
In reply, opener Shikhar Dhawan ensured India does not face any firther hiccups, after losing Murli Vijay for just 2, as he and Cheteshwar Pujara put on a crucial partnership of 87 runs for the second wicket.
Cheteshwar Pujara was adjudged lbw for 19 off Trent Boult’s bowling just before the close of play which resulted in Ishant Sharma, hero with the ball for India, to come out in the middle and perform his duty as night-watchman. At the close of play, Dhawan was on 71 not out, while Ishant Sharma was on 3 not out.
