India 146/3 - Combat Challenging Conditions
After solid start of 62 runs by openers - in overcast, pace bowler friendly conditions - India took it to 146/3 in 64.4 overs , when badlight stopped play again after Tea time. First stoppage was just before tea interval.
Ken Williamson won the toss and happily invited India to bat, in typical English weather conditions, suitable for seam and swing bowling as New Zealand opted for 4 pacers,without any spinner. India on the other hand persisted with two spinners avoiding any temptation to replace one with pacer. Ravi Shastri showed immense confidence by saying that, this is our best bowling attack and is able to perform well in any conditions.
Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill played well and negotiated the New Zealand bowling for almost 90 minutes. Were 41/0 in 14 overs at the end of first hour. Both openers had a specific strategy of bit advancing in the crease to upset the bowler`s rhythm. Even experienced duo of Trent Boult and Tim Southee found it bit difficult to maintain their good length bowling. In the process Shubman got hit on the helmet by Jamieson bouncer. Rohit made 34 after falling to a bit tentative push away from the body, outside the off stump to Jamieson. Was very well set and both openers were punishing loose deliveries and getting runs in boundaries and were looking more and more confident to play long innings. After Rohit Sharma`s departure in 21st over, Shubman Gill too followed in 25th over in Wagner`s 1st over caught behind by Wicket Keeper B J Watling, who has announced his retirement from test match cricket after this final. Rohit made 34 with 6 boundaries and Shubman 28 with 3. 62/1 and 63/2. Pujara typically batted with his usual immense patience, opening his account on 35th ball with a boundary. He too got hit once on helmet, due to mistimed pull shot. India at lunch were 69/2 in 28 overs.
Post lunch Trent Boult removed Pujara in very first over of his second spell, with an incoming delivery hitting his back leg, in front. Pujara 8,88/3-41 overs. In the very same over Virat survived very confident caught behind appeal. But this incidence stirred quite a debate around the ground as umpire on his own went for DRS review, without any taken by fielding side. Snicko meter showed nothing and Indian captain continued. Virat was very confident throughout, right from the word go. Looked very positive with his body language even in his solid defense. Ajinkya Rahane was bit tentative at times but stuck to the task and carried out in very very challenging conditions , as the ball continued to talk, swing throughout, the day. Play had to stop few minutes before tea due to bad light, as it was getting more gloomy. India made 51 runs in 27.3 overs for 1 wicket in second session.120/3-55.3 overs.
Both batsmen ran extremely well between the wickets and continuously kept New Zealand fielders under pressure. Post tea it was further gloomy after around 10 odd overs. Both Virat and Ajinkya were looking very positive, aggressive and were looking to score fast against bit tiring New Zealand .But weather conditions forced umpires to call off day`s play after 64.4 overs with India 146/3. Virat was looking very confident and determined to play long innings with caution, as uncharacteristically has hit just one boundary in his 44 not out off 124 balls. Ajinkya 29 n.o. India is looking forward to get maximum possible runs through not out captain and his deputy. Followed by maverick Rishabh Pant allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. Looks like another absorbing day of ultimate test cricket on the cards to make Sunday more interesting.
-Vivek Ketkar
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
ReplyDelete