INDIA TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND,
Prithvi Shaw’s racy half-century involved eight fours and one six © AFP
Prithvi Shaw struck a fluent half-century to help India score 90 for 2 in the opening session of the second Test after they were invited to bat. Shaw’s wicket, however, dented India a touch and helped New Zealand pull things back on a spicy pitch in Christchurch.
“As batsmen, we need to figure out how to score runs, “were the words from Virat Kohli at the toss who looked slightly disappointed once the coin fell in Kane Williamson’s favor. Things, though, eased pretty quickly in the dressing room as Shaw’s early boundaries helped India make a brisk start. By the end of the fifth over, the opener had struck three boundaries and the intent to score runs in tough conditions stood out.
At
for no loss at five, India seemed set to put New Zealand under pressure early. Mayank Agarwal, however, was trapped plumb in front by Trent Boult as he missed a full ball. The opener also took a review with him after a poor call. Cheteshwar Pujara took 13 balls to get off the mark but seemed intent on scoring more positively and not getting into a shell. Full balls were authoritatively driven even as he kept grinding out the tough deliveries.
New Zealand too lost a review. . In the th over, Pujara was hit in front by Colin de Grandhomme after the India No.3 did not offer a shot. The hosts were quick to take the review only to realise that the ball was comfortably bouncing over the stumps.
The ball swung and moved and Wobbled throughout the session to keep the bowlers interested but Shaw’s knock ensured the frustration kept building. He raced to his half-century off 64 balls with a six over fine-leg against the returning Neil Wagner.
His adventurism, though, also led to his downfall. In the th over, he chased a wide one from Kyle Jamieson and got a thick outside edge. Tom Latham, at second slip, stuck his left hand out over his hand to pluck a one-handed stunner to end Shaw’s – ball stay that yielded .
Kohli opened his account with a flick to deep midwicket that gave him three. Jamieson struggled to find the perfect line and length against him as the India captain saw off the tricky – minute period before Lunch with Pujara as the bowlers found more help in the air.
New Zealand left out Ajaz Patel. to go for an all-pace attack while India made two changes. Ishant Sharma was out injured and Umesh Yadav replaced the pacer, while Ravindra Jadeja’s accuracy helped him edge past R Ashwin to make the playing XI.
Brief scores: India (2) Prithvi Shaw 85 vs New Zealand.
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