Share

Black Caps in the fight on opening day

Kanpur - New Zealand fought hard to stay in the game on day one of the first Test against India at Green Park in Kanpur on Thursday.

India won the toss and elected to bat on a surface that already had clearly visible cracks on it looking to pile up the runs before batting becomes exceedingly difficult.

India seemed to be having it all their own way and despite losing KL Rahul shortly after the first hour reached lunch with one wicket down and 105 runs on the board.

The pitch was on the slow side in the morning but was otherwise quite well behaved with no variable bounce or freakish turn.

New Zealand mounted a firm fightback in the second session though, India added 80 runs for the loss of three wickets.

Mitchell Santner got the breakthrough when he caught Cheteshwar Pujara off his own bowling for 62, shortly afterwards Neil Wagner got the dangerman Virat Kohli (9) cheaply and India were 167 for 3.

Vitally Ish Sodhi removed Murali Vijay (65) when the opener looked well set to swing the second session firmly in New Zealand's favour.

India went to tea at 185/4 and if the second session was shaded by New Zealand then the tourists dominated the third as India crumbled faster than the dusty wicket in Kanpur.

India put on 106 runs after tea losing five wickets. Ajinkya Rahane (18) became Mark Craig's 49th Test victim shortly after tea, the off spinner tossed one up at an awkward length and had India's vice-captain caught at short leg.

Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin then briefly steadied the ship putting on 52 before the former threw his wicket away for the umpteenth time in his Test career, chipping Santner to long on.

Trent Boult then pushed his claim to join Mitchell Starc and Dale Steyn as seamers who can take wickets in all conditions, as he whipped out Ashwin (40) before producing a brace of unplayable deliveries to bowl both Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammad Shami for ducks.

India limped to 291 for 9 at the close of play but with the pitch rapidly deteriorating the runs they were able to get in the morning session may prove to be the difference between the two sides when all is said and done.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE