The much-awaited two-match Test series between India and New Zealand finally got commenced at the Basin Reserve in ‘Windy’ Wellington on Friday. While India is hoping to further consolidate their position in the ICC Test Championship table, the Kiwis are looking to shrug off the disappointment of a whitewash that suffered at the hands of Australia back in December and make further enhancements on the championship points table.
The toss was always going to be an important factor considering the greenish tinge on the pitch and the overhead conditions. And, so all eyes were on Virat Kohli as to whether he would win the toss or not. The Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] shared the photo of the Indian skipper right before the toss and captioned it: “Let’s put on our thinking caps and caption this? The best one will feature right here. Go.Go.Go #NZvIND.”
In the photo, Kohli can be seen doing a dance step while donning the Indian blazer and Shreyas Iyer came up with a funny caption to the post. Iyer commented on the BCCI Instagram post. ‘Ke ghungroo toot Gaye!’
The New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson won the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. The visitors needed their opening pair to see off the new ball but the minimal foot movement of Prithvi Shaw was exploited by Tim Southee, who cleaned him up with a brilliant outswinger.
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Post the dismissal of Shaw, India consolidated courtesy the duo of Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal. But, the debutant pacer, Kyle Jamieson dismissed Pujara with an unplayable delivery; one that was bowled on a fullish length that proceeded to straighten, leaving Pujara no choice to play at it. He also dismissed the Indian skipper with a 7-m length before throwing a 5m carrot dangler outside the off-stump. Kohli went chasing for it before a thick outside edge brought an end to his innings.
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Jamieson claimed Vihari post the lunch break while Mayank Agarwal threw way his start (34) courtesy Trent Boult. Rain brought a premature end to the days play with India reeling at 122/5.
