Kanpur: After a respectful start from KL Rahul and Murali Vijay (42/1) and an over hundred (112 runs) run partnership between Vijay and Cheteshwar Punjara for the second wicket, India squandered their chances of setting a big target as they lost nine wickets for 291 at the close of play on Day 1 of the first Test match against New Zealand being played at Green Park Stadium, here on Thursday.
India, playing their historic 500th Test match, started off well with KL Rahul and Murali Vijay before Rahul was caught by caught by Bradley-John Watling off Mitchell Santner for 32. Thereafter, Cheteshwar Pujara joined Vijay and the too played cautiously, adding runs at ease for their team. Both scored half centuries and added 112 runs to the scoreboard before Pujara was caught abd bowled by Satner for 62.
Captain Virat Kohli joined Vijay, but the crowd was in for big disappointment as Kohli was undone by a bouncer from Neil Wagner at a score of 9. Kohli top edged the bouncer and Ish Sodhi made no mistake in taking the catch. Vijay (65) followed soon after and with Ajinkya Rahane gone for just 19, it seemed India were heading for a big trouble.
However, Rohit Sharma got a good company in R Ashwin and the duo 52 runs for the sixth wicket before Sharma was caught by Sodhi off Satner for 35. Wridhiman Saha was bowled out for a naught by Tent Boult and soon Ashwin (40) too departed as he top edged a Boult’s delivery to Ross Taylor.
Boult then bolwed out Mohammed Shami, leaving India nine wickets down for 291. Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav were at the crease.
Speaking about his and India’s innings, Murali Vijay said, "Definitely disappointed. I batted well and I thought after tea it was my session to cash in. Got to take it in my stride and we better our performance in the second innings.”
“The wicket was on the slower side and therefore I wanted to rotate strike. It wasn't turning as much. The wicket got slower and on day two with their footmarks our bowlers can play around a bit. It's a very good score, 20 runs short, but tomorrow morning if Jaddu gets it going, 320-330 would be a very good score. It would get lower moving forward. They have to play a waiting game, if they attack, we will have the upper hand.”
