2nd Test, Day 1 LIVE: India Vs New Zealand

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Post on Oct 24, 2024

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2nd Test, Day 1 LIVE: India vs New Zealand - A Day of Dominance for the Hosts

The second Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai kicked off on Friday, February 3rd, 2023, with the Indian team looking to seal a series win after a resounding victory in the first Test. As the day unfolded, it was clear that the Indian bowlers were in command, delivering a dominant performance to leave the Kiwis reeling.

A Solid Start for India

India, after winning the toss, elected to bat first under a clear Mumbai sky. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill opened the innings, looking to build a strong foundation. Both batsmen played cautiously, weathering the initial pressure from the New Zealand bowlers. They navigated the early overs with composure, ensuring that India did not lose any early wickets.

Gill's Resurgence and Rohit's Fall

Shubman Gill, continuing his excellent form, played with a quiet intensity, scoring a fluent half-century. He seemed to be in complete control of his game, showcasing his impeccable technique and timing. However, Rohit Sharma's innings was cut short by a brilliant catch by Tom Blundell, off the bowling of Michael Bracewell, bringing an end to his promising start.

Virat Kohli's Stellar Knock

The Indian captain, Virat Kohli, joined Gill at the crease. He looked in fine form, playing with his characteristic aggression and determination. Kohli's arrival brought a sense of urgency to the Indian innings, and the runs started to flow freely. The duo put on a crucial partnership, ensuring India reached a respectable score at the end of the day's play.

Dominant Bowling Performance by India

The Indian bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, were simply unplayable. The veteran off-spinner bowled with accuracy and guile, picking up three crucial wickets. Axar Patel also shone, claiming two wickets and keeping a tight leash on the Kiwi batsmen. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami provided the initial breakthroughs with their disciplined pace bowling, leaving the New Zealand batsmen struggling to cope with the conditions.

New Zealand's Struggles

The New Zealand batting line-up failed to stand up to the Indian bowling attack. They struggled to handle the spin and were repeatedly outsmarted by the variations on offer. The only positive for the Kiwis was a fighting half-century from Daryl Mitchell, who showed resilience and determination in a challenging situation.

Day 1 Summary

At the end of the day's play, India was in a commanding position, with a comfortable lead. Shubman Gill's half-century and Virat Kohli's strong knock, coupled with the exceptional bowling performance of Ashwin, Axar, Siraj, and Shami, meant that the hosts were firmly in control. New Zealand will need a monumental effort in the remaining days to salvage the Test match.

Stay tuned for the Day 2 LIVE updates of the India vs New Zealand second Test match.