India reach landmark but Kiwis left smiling
ON THE day that India celebrated their 500th Test it was New Zealand who were left smiling after they edged an enthralling first day in Kanpur.
Mitchell Santner (3-57) and Trent Boult (3-77) did the damage with the ball for the Black Caps – who have not won a Test in India since 1988 – as Virat Kohli’s side finished the day on 291-9.
Having won the toss and elected to bat – all looked rosy for the hosts who have not lost a Test at home under Kohli and are unbeaten in their last ten overall.
Lokesh Rahul (32) and Murali Vijay put on an opening stand of 42 and when the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara joined Vijay they cruised to 105-1 at lunch.
But Pujara went for 62 and from there the home side crumbled – losing wickets at regular intervals.
The prize wicket of Kohli (9) was taken by Neil Wagner, the Indian skipper top edging a pull to the man in the deep and Kane Williamson’s side were cock-ahoop.
Rohit Sharma (35) and Ravichandran Ashwin (40) rebuilt the score with a 52-run partnership for the sixth wicket but Boult ran through the latter, keeper Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami in the final session to leave the Kiwis on top.
Williamson’s troops will look to claim the tenth and final wicket early on day two in Kanpur but they know what awaits them when they bat.
The spin twins of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will give this side that have not won in India in 28 years a full working over.
The first of this three-Test series therefore represents a strong chance to make a breakthrough but Kohli’s side have their own piece of history on their mind.
“We believe we certainly have what it takes to be the best team in the world,” he said before the game.
“We definitely believe that. One area we have tapped into is belief. It’s something that a lot of young players can lack coming into international cricket.”
But the Black Caps impressed in the World T20 in India earlier this year – losing out narrowly to England in the semi-finals – and Williamson hopes his side are ready for the conditions.
“India have got very good spinners, naturally very experienced in these conditions,” he said. “We have got some exciting young talent. We showed that in the T20 World Cup.
“That was huge for us. Yes, the formats are different, but I am hoping we can build on from those experiences.”