Kanpur: The second day of the first Test between India and New Zealand belonged to Kane Williamson and Tom Latham as the Kiwis were 152 for one in reply to India’s 318 before rain played spoilsport in the last session at Green Park, here on Friday.
Earlier, the hosts, on resumption, had added 27 runs in seven overs in the morning session.
Meanwhile, Tom Latham (56*) and skipper Kane Williamson (66*) scored unbeaten half-centuries during their 117-run second-wicket stand, sweeping the Indian spinners – R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja -- at will on a pitch which at times provided turn to the bowlers.
Earlier on day 1, 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.
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.