**New Zealand Vs India: Day 1 Second Test Highlights**

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Post on Oct 24, 2024

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New Zealand vs India: Day 1 Second Test Highlights - A Day of Dominance for the Kiwis

The second Test between New Zealand and India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington kicked off on Friday, February 17th, with a day of compelling cricket that saw the Kiwis take a commanding lead. Here are the key highlights from a thrilling Day 1:

Early Wickets and a Solid Start

The day began with India winning the toss and electing to bat first. The decision backfired early on as New Zealand's bowling attack, led by the fiery Tim Southee, struck early.

Southee sent back the dangerous Rohit Sharma for a duck in the very first over, a crucial wicket for the hosts. The Indian opening partnership never got going, as Mayank Agarwal was dismissed soon after for 14 by Matt Henry.

Kohli's Resistance

The Indian captain, Virat Kohli, came to the crease looking to steady the ship. He showed resilience and determination, putting together a solid 36-run partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara before falling prey to a brilliant delivery from Henry. Kohli's dismissal was a significant turning point in the innings.

The New Zealand Spin Attack Shines

The introduction of spin into the attack saw the Kiwis tighten their grip on the Indian innings. Ajaz Patel, the left-arm spinner, proved a handful for the Indian batsmen. He consistently bowled with accuracy, and his deliveries seemed to turn and bounce more than expected, making life difficult for the Indian batsmen.

Patel claimed the wickets of Pujara (24) and Shreyas Iyer (0), both falling to well-flighted deliveries. He also dismissed the dangerous Rishabh Pant for a duck, leaving the visitors struggling at 84/5.

A Brief Resurgence

After losing wickets at a rapid pace, India found a glimmer of hope in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. He played with positive intent and formed a crucial partnership with Shubman Gill, who scored a gritty half-century.

Jadeja reached a half-century of his own, showing his all-round prowess. However, the partnership ended when Jadeja was caught by Henry off the bowling of Patel for 52.

A Dominant Finish for the Kiwis

The late wickets of Gill and Axar Patel left the Indian tail exposed. New Zealand's pace attack, led by Southee, continued their relentless pressure and bowled out the visitors for a paltry 108.

Southee finished with 3 wickets, while Henry and Patel bagged 4 each. The Kiwis were clearly the dominant force in the first session of the Test match.

A Positive Start for New Zealand

New Zealand made a positive start to their innings in response, reaching 65/0 at stumps. Tom Latham and Will Young have a solid partnership, showing their intent to make a strong statement.

Key Takeaways

The first day of the second Test was a resounding success for New Zealand. Their bowling attack was relentless, and they were able to capitalize on their early breakthroughs. India, on the other hand, struggled to cope with the Kiwi bowlers and will need to improve their performance significantly if they want to level the series.

The second day promises to be an exciting one with New Zealand looking to build on their dominant start.

Stay tuned for more updates on the New Zealand vs. India Test series.