New Zealand vs India, Day 2: List of key takeaways
The Indian bowlers were right on the money on Day 2 of the ongoing Christchurch Test. Mohammed Shami's four-for helped India bundle out the hosts for 235. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja shared five wickets between them. Although India had a chance of redemption in the second innings, the Kiwi seamers yet again proved lethal. Here are the key takeaways.
How did Day 2 pan out?
Although the New Zealand openers looked in sublime touch in the first innings, Umesh Yadav provided India with an early breakthrough on Day 2. The hosts were reduced to 177/8 before Kyle Jamieson's 63-ball 49 took them past 200. Neil Wagner too added 21 off 41 deliveries, propelling New Zealand to 235. The Kiwis are in commanding position as India were 90/6 at stumps.
The India bowlers are leaking runs at the end
India's inability to clean up the tail after being in the driving sear has raised quite a few eyebrows lately. In the first Test, the visitors let Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult steal crucial runs at the end in the first innings. The Christchurch Test witnessed more of the same. New Zealand's last four batsmen added as many as 71 runs.
India faced a stern test of bouncers
The Kiwi bowlers left India reeling at 90/6 as the second day ended. Mayank Agarwal departed early on with Prithvi Shaw falling to his weakness of the short delivery. Skipper Virat Kohli could muster only 14 as he was trapped by Colin de Grandhomme. A short ball barrage by Boult and Wagner tested both Pujara and Rahane. The duo was dismissed eventually.
Jadeja took a blinder to dismiss Neil Wagner
Ravindra Jadeja was absolutely incredible on the field as he took a one-handed screamer to dismiss Wagner in the second session on Day 2. Jadeja took the miraculous catch when Wagner pulled a bouncer from Mohammed Shami to square-leg region. The southpaw initially over ran as the ball came travelled swiftly with the wind, but he caught it mid-air extending his left hand.
