starwatch

HT takes a look who performed and flopped on Day 1:

Cheteshwar Pujara

Kohli had criticised his slow scoring rate but coach Kumble found the criticism harsh. On a green surface, however, Pujara’s low strike rate was the least of all concerns. India needed someone to stay at the wicket instead of playing T20 cricket and Pujara put his hand up.

Rohit Sharma

Once again Rohit Sharma failed to get going. Both Rahane and Pujara had rescued India and set the platform and it was Rohit’s job to take India to a decent total. However, he failed once again. When it matters in Test cricket, Rohit fails to deliver.

Trent Boult

The Kiwi seamer, who ran through India’s lower order in the first innings at Kanpur, got the prized wicket of Kohli. The left-armer put early pressure on the Indians with swing and bounce. He later drew Kohli into playing away from his body.

Ajinkya Rahane

He forged a partnership with Pujara and scored at a reasonably good strike rate to rescue India. He put up 141 runs for the fourth wicket with Pujara. Starting watchfully like Kohli, he didn’t lose his cool and waited for only the bad deliveries to score. Once into the 30s, he got confidence and hit his ninth Test fifty.

Virat Kohli

Following a string of low scores, the India captain began watchfully. He looked to get into the groove but to take the pressure off himself, he decided to cut loose. He executed a brilliant cover drive to find his first boundary but in trying to repeat the act, he chased a wide one and was caught at gully.