Day 2: Kiwi openers solid, India collapse

New Zealand dominated second day to put themselves back in contention in the first test match.

New Zealand is now looking good but India can still easily make comeback in this game.

After dismissing India on 345, the Kiwi openers played superbly and put an unbeaten stand of 129 runs before stumps on day 2.

India      111.1  overs     345 all out 

S. Iyer    105 (171)           Southee    5-69                                                                                                                 Gill          52 (93)              Jamieson   3-91                                                                                                           Jadeja    50 (112)            Ajaz Patel   2-90    

New Zealand    57 overs   129-0

W. Young   75* (180)                                                                                                                                                                                               T. Latham   50* (165)

India started day 2 with 258-4 on the scoreboard but the New Zealand bowlers were fully charged today.

Southee started brilliantly by dismissing the star of day 1, Jadeja without allowing him to score even a single run on day 2.

Saha also didn’t contribute much to the scorecard and he was dismissed on only  1(12) run courtesy an excellent delivery bowled by Tim Southee.

The Indian lower order failed to deliver and the wickets kept falling quickly.

Ashwin showed some character in the end and scored an important 38 runs.

The debutant Shreyas Iyer completed his century today and became only the 16th Indian batter to score a 100 on Test Debut.

India was all out on 345 runs and Southee was the star with the bowl for New Zealand as he picked up 5 wickets for just 69 runs.

Then the New Zealand openers gave a very good start to their  side and both the openers remained unbeaten till the end of day 2

Southee’s five-wicket haul

Tim Southee bowled one of the best Test-match spells by a visiting pace bowler in India to almost pull his side back into the test match singlehandedly.

Having medicated a hamstring strain that took him off the field on the first day’s play, Southee recovered adequately – or bowled through persistent pain – to pick up four important wickets.

He bowled continuously for 11 overs in the morning session of day 2 to complete his 13th five-wicket haul in the longest format and it was his second 5 wicket haul in India.

100 on debut for Iyer

Shreyas Iyer, who was unbeaten on 75 last night, completed his 100 today.

Iyer’s century was the only positive for team India today.

Shreyas Iyer continued his brilliant innings from where he left last night.

He was given the opportunity to announce himself in the test side and he grabbed this with both hands.

He was dismissed by Southee after scoring an excellent 105. 

Dream start by New Zealand’s openers

New Zealand started their first innings solidly with the bat.

The two openers, Latham and Young played magnificently to build an unbeaten 129 runs partnership.

Young is batting on 75 runs while Latham has scored 50 runs.

Both of them handled the spin bowling of team India very well.

If they stay unbeaten till lunch tomorrow, New Zealand will be eyeing a mammoth lead in the first innings.

Also note, that Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor are fresh, after having not played the T20 series.

Right now, the match is evenly balanced but if the Kiwis play sensible cricket, they could hold the edge.