New Zealand are in the driver’s seat in the first Test against India at Kanpur after Trent Boult wreaked havoc with the second new ball, building on Mitchell Santner’s inroads after lunch. The hosts ended day one on 291/9 with Ravindra Jadeja at the crease.
India won the toss and Virat Kohli had no hesitation in electing to bat. KL Rahul got a start but was dismissed by Santner and then Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara took over and took India to lunch without any further loss.
Soon after, both batsmen got to their fifties, they couldn’t carry on as they were dismissed in their sixties. Santner and Neil Wagner bowled brilliantly in tandem and got rid of the set-Pujara and captain Kohli.
Before tea, India had also lost Vijay and there after Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin tried to consolidate but in the end Boult’s incredible new ball spell meant that India ended day on 291/9.
Vijay disappointed with not cashing in
India’s best batsman on day one, Murali Vijay said: "After tea was my session where I could have cashed in. That was a plan because the wicket was on the slower side so we wanted to rotate. Didn't want to do anything stupid.
“Wasn’t turning that much but the wicket has got slower. But on day 2, with their footmarks, our bowlers can play around that. We have a good score, maybe 20 runs short. If Jaddu can hit his straps, we can get to around 320-330.”
Here are the reactions from the cricket fraternity:
Irfan Pathan:
Tom Moody
Aakash Chopra:
With this being India’s 500th match, some reflected on their journey, Virender Sehwag:
Irfan Pathan:
Gautam Gambhir:
Subramaniam Badrinath:
VVS Laxman:
Even those who have enjoyed plenty of battles against India, spoke about the 500th Test like Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara:
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