India vs NZ 2nd Test Day 1: Rohit Out, Highlights
The second Test match between India and New Zealand kicked off on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. India, looking to secure a series win after their dominant victory in the first Test, found themselves facing a tough challenge right from the start.
Here's a breakdown of Day 1 highlights:
Rohit Sharma's Early Dismissal: A Setback for India
India's opening batter, Rohit Sharma, was dismissed early on for just 14 runs. The Indian captain, who was in fine form in the first Test, fell victim to a brilliant delivery from Tim Southee, who bowled him with a beautiful outswinger. This early wicket set the tone for a challenging first session for India.
A Solid Response from the Middle Order
Despite Rohit's early departure, the Indian middle order put up a solid fight. Cheteshwar Pujara (62) and Virat Kohli (51) formed a crucial partnership, taking India to 105/2. Pujara, known for his resilience and patience, once again played a crucial role in steadying the Indian innings. Kohli, however, fell shortly after reaching his half-century, leaving the hosts at 145/3 at lunch.
New Zealand's Spinners Take Control
After lunch, New Zealand's spinners took control of the match. Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell bowled with great accuracy and kept the Indian batsmen under pressure. They managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals, keeping India's score in check.
India End Day 1 on 216/7
By the end of Day 1, India were struggling at 216/7, having lost four wickets in the final session. Shreyas Iyer (52) and Ravindra Jadeja (27) were the remaining unbeaten batsmen, having provided some resistance with a crucial partnership.
Key Highlights:
- Rohit Sharma's dismissal: A significant setback for India, especially considering his form in the first Test.
- Pujara and Kohli's partnership: Provided much-needed stability to the Indian innings.
- New Zealand's spinners dominate: Ajaz Patel and Michael Bracewell put pressure on the Indian batsmen, picking up crucial wickets.
- Shreyas Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja's partnership: A crucial stand to end the day, giving India a fighting chance in the second innings.
What's Next?
Day 2 promises to be an exciting one. India will be looking to build on their overnight score and set a challenging target for New Zealand. The New Zealand spinners will be looking to continue their dominance, while the Indian batsmen will need to be patient and resilient to build a strong total.
This second Test is shaping up to be a tight contest, and we can expect a thrilling finish to the series.
Keywords: India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajaz Patel, Michael Bracewell, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India tour of New Zealand, India vs NZ cricket series, Test Cricket