India vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Day 1 Live Updates - A Day of Dominance for the Kiwis
The second Test match between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai commenced on Friday, February 3rd, 2023. The first day's play saw the New Zealand bowlers dominate proceedings, putting India on the back foot with an impressive display of pace and spin.
A Stuttering Start for India
India, after winning the toss and electing to bat first, found themselves in trouble early on. Tim Southee, the Kiwi veteran, made an immediate impact by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a duck. This was followed by the dismissal of Shubman Gill, caught by Tom Blundell off Matt Henry, leaving India at 11/2.
The Kohli Show
Virat Kohli, coming in at number three, showed his class with a gritty half-century. He formed a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara, who himself played with patience and determination. However, just when the duo looked to be steadying the ship, Southee struck again, trapping Kohli LBW for 51.
Kiwis Take Control
The fall of Kohli proved to be a turning point. The New Zealand bowlers, led by Southee, Henry, and Michael Bracewell, maintained relentless pressure, picking up wickets at regular intervals. India's batting line-up crumbled under the pressure, with Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, and Ishan Kishan all failing to make significant contributions.
Day 1 Ends with India in Trouble
At the end of the day's play, India were reeling at 108/8. The Kiwis, having bowled with accuracy and discipline, were well on top. Southee ended the day with an impressive figure of 4/16, while Henry chipped in with 2/28.
Key Takeaways from Day 1
- The New Zealand bowlers, particularly Southee and Henry, bowled with exceptional control and discipline, putting the Indian batsmen under immense pressure.
- Virat Kohli's dismissal was a crucial turning point in the match, as it disrupted India's momentum.
- India's batting line-up, barring Pujara, struggled to cope with the New Zealand bowling attack.
- Tom Blundell behind the stumps was exceptional, taking four catches and holding on to the crucial wicket of Kohli.
Day 2: A New Dawn for India?
Day 2 promises to be an interesting affair. India will be hoping for a strong start from their remaining batsmen, while New Zealand will be aiming to wrap up the Indian innings as quickly as possible.
Will India be able to stage a comeback? Or will New Zealand take a decisive lead? Stay tuned for Day 2's live updates!
Note: This article is based on the information available at the time of writing and may not reflect the latest developments.