IND vs NZ 2nd Test Day 1: Rohit's Wicket, India 16/1 - A Day of Early Struggles
The second Test match between India and New Zealand in Mumbai got off to a shaky start for the hosts on a day dominated by the Kiwi bowlers. India ended the day on 16/1, with the early dismissal of captain Rohit Sharma setting the tone for a challenging day at the Wankhede Stadium.
Rohit's Early Departure: A Blow to India's Hopes
Rohit Sharma, fresh off his double century in the first Test, was dismissed early on in the innings, falling to Tim Southee for just 4 runs. The Indian captain, looking to build on his recent form, fell victim to a well-directed delivery that swung into him and took his off stump. This early setback put India on the backfoot right from the start, forcing them to regroup and rebuild their innings.
A Solid Start From Gill, But the Rest Struggled
While Rohit departed early, Shubman Gill showed resilience, scoring 12 runs before the close of play. However, the other Indian batsmen struggled to find their rhythm against the New Zealand bowlers. The likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli faced a tough time, failing to get going on a pitch that offered some early bounce and movement.
New Zealand Bowlers On Top
The Kiwi bowlers were the clear stars of the day, exposing the Indian weakness against swing and movement. Tim Southee, in particular, was a constant threat, generating good pace and swing to keep the Indian batsmen on their toes. The other New Zealand bowlers, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner, also bowled with accuracy and discipline, restricting India's scoring rate and ensuring the hosts finished the day on the back foot.
A Day of Early Struggles, But the Series is Far From Over
While the first day did not go according to plan for India, it's still early days in the match. The Indian batsmen will be hoping to recover from their early struggles and build a substantial first-innings score. The battle between bat and ball is expected to continue throughout the remaining days of the test match, with both teams eager to gain an advantage in the series.
Stay tuned for more updates on the IND vs NZ 2nd Test match as the action unfolds!