NZ VS IND 2ND TEST

Based on the opening day's play, the pitch isn’t a complete rank turner, but there were clear signs of some balls kicking off a length, with a few dismissals creating visible puffs of dust upon landing. With India set to bat in the fourth innings, they'll want to capitalize on the conditions, which won’t be as challenging as they are likely to be later in the match. For New Zealand, making the most of the early morning assistance will be crucial as they aim to put the hosts under pressure right from the start. The first ball on Day 2 will be bowled at 4 am GMT. See you then! Cheers!

Washington Sundar is up for a chat. He says that he manifested this for a long time of getting a chance to get back into the side and it happened in this Test. He further adds that he always wanted to stay accurate with whichever batter he bowled and that helped him to pick up 7 wickets. He talks about the pitch saying that it was dry and was expected to spin from day 1. Ends by saying that the wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell gave him a lot of confidence.

Sundar registered his career-best figures of 7/59 in 23.1 overs, leading India’s resurgence after a challenging first half of the day. From what seemed like a comfortable position at 197/3, New Zealand suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last 7 wickets for just 62 runs and ultimately being bowled out for 259. In response, India lost their skipper early to an absolute peach from Tim Southee. It didn't take long for Tom Latham to introduce spin, which posed immediate questions for both batters. Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal faced a nervous period against the two Kiwi spinners, but they managed to hold their ground and see out the day.

India’s bowlers appeared to be struggling, as Conway and Ravindra were content to milk the singles and occasionally find the boundary. However, just when the Indian fielders began to look flat, Ashwin provided a much-needed breakthrough, nicking off Conway. Despite that wicket, India’s defensive approach allowed another partnership to build, but Washington Sundar turned things around with two crucial strikes towards the end of the second session, halting New Zealand's charge. India carried that momentum into the third session, with Sundar picking up where he left off. Although the ball wasn’t turning sharply, Sundar extracted enough movement off the pitch to chip away at the Kiwi middle and lower order.

Earlier in the day, after winning the toss, Tom Latham had no hesitation in opting to bat first. The Kiwi openers got off to a solid start, navigating the new ball without much difficulty. India managed two breakthroughs in the first session through Ravichandran Ashwin, but consistent pressure eluded them due to the in-out fields, allowing the visitors to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking. In the second session, New Zealand continued to score at a steady pace, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra both cruising to their fifties.

End of an enthralling day of Test cricket! It began encouragingly for New Zealand with the bat, but India fought back brilliantly, led by a stellar bowling performance from Washington Sundar. As a result, they will be the slightly happier side at the end of Day 1. Despite winning a crucial toss, the visitors will be disappointed to have posted only 259, especially given their promising position at one stage. Their bowlers though kept things tight and consistently probed the batters during the 11 overs.

On the pads, fuller. Shubman Gill drives it to the right of mid on and runs a single. India end the day on 16/1.

BEATEN! Holds the length back and grips it away from the right-hander. Shubman Gill gets back and looks to poke at it but misses.

Slower through the air, on off. Shubman Gill takes the front foot and blocks it well.

Pitches the ball up on off. Shubman Gill stays on the front foot and nudges it off.

Another good arm ball on a fuller length on the middle stump line. Shubman Gill takes a foot out and wears the ball on the front leg with no bat involved. There is an appeal for LBW but the umpire says no. The ball looks to be going down the leg side.

On the off stump, from a fuller length. Shubman Gill offers a front foot block.

The last over of the day coming up. Ajaz Patel to bowl.

Just short on the pads. Shubman Gill tucks it to the right of mid on and runs a quick single.

Good arm ball from outside the off stump line. Shubman Gill covers the line of the stumps and sees it through.

Arm ball once again from Mitchell Santner getting an inside edge of the bat onto the pads once again for Shubman Gill as he got on the front foot to block it out.

On the nagging length once again on the stumps. Shubman Gill stays inside the line of the ball and drops it down.

Holds the length back outside off. Shubman Gill hangs back and places it to point.