**India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1: Southee's Wickets**

muazhan

You need 2 min read

·

Post on Oct 24, 2024

58 visitor like this post

Share

India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1: Southee's Wickets Shine Bright in Kanpur

The second Test match between India and New Zealand began in Kanpur on Friday, with the Kiwis looking to bounce back from their defeat in the first Test. The day belonged to New Zealand's veteran pacer, Tim Southee, who was the star performer with the ball, claiming crucial wickets to put India on the back foot.

A Strong Start for India

India, after opting to bat first, got off to a solid start. The opening pair of Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill put together a 62-run partnership before Gill was dismissed by Southee for 14. The seasoned pacer struck again in the very next over, removing Agarwal for 27, leaving India at 69/2.

Southee's Double Blow

However, the real turning point of the day came in the post-lunch session. Southee continued his relentless assault, first dismissing the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara for 26. He then trapped Virat Kohli leg before wicket for a duck, leaving India in a precarious position at 142/4.

A Fightback for India

While the Indian middle order struggled against the New Zealand bowlers, the experienced Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer offered some resistance. Rahane in particular played with great resilience, scoring 35 runs before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel, who made his Test debut for New Zealand.

Day Ends With India in a Tussle

At stumps, India were 258/5 with Shreyas Iyer (75*) and Wriddhiman Saha (25*) still at the crease. The day, however, belonged to Southee, who finished with impressive figures of 4/67, showcasing his class and experience on a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers.

Key Takeaways from Day 1:

• Southee's brilliance: The veteran pacer showed his prowess with the ball, claiming crucial wickets and putting India on the back foot.
• India's middle order struggles: The Indian middle order once again faltered, with only Rahane offering some resistance.
• Ajaz Patel's Test debut: The left-arm spinner made his Test debut and got a wicket in his first over.

With the first day concluding with India in a slight advantage, the second day promises to be exciting, with New Zealand looking to make further inroads and Southee potentially playing a significant role in shaping the match.