India v New Zealand, 3rd Test, Day 1 - 5 Talking Points

An unbroken partnership of 167 between Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, the highest of the series so far, helped India finish on 267 for 3 at the end of Holkar Stadium’s first day of Test cricket. Kohli ended the day batting on 103, his 13th Test hundred while Rahane finished on a fantastic 79. Batting looked fairly difficult in the two paced wicket for the most part of the day before Kohli and Rahane batted out the Kiwi bowlers in the tea session and bring runs at a much fluent rate.

Virat Kohli won his seventh consecutive toss and chose to bat first. the opening session was entertaining with comeback man Gautam Gambhir giving a flying start to India. But both the openers could not make most of the start and lost their wicket in the first session itself. Pujara looked moving towards a big inning but lost his wicket in the second session. The Kiwis kept Indian tense thereafter and things became bit comfortable only after Kohli and Rahane knitted a wonderful 167 run partnership to put India in a dominating position at stumps.

1.Indore celebrates its Test debut:

The entire city of Indore was abuzz today as it prepared to witness history today. The Holkar Stadium was all set to host its first ever Test match. The whole city was prepared for the game. A day before the start of the game Hundreds of people, mostly students, lined up at the time of the visiting team’s arrival to catch a glimpse of Kane Williamson & Co. training this morning.

There were loud cheers whenever the New Zealand captain waved at them. The players were left surprised with reception. The same enthusiasm was palpable today morning at 9 am. Fans turned up in good numbers on the opening morning as Indore celebrated its Test debut. The stadium was filled crowd strength of close to 18000.

2. Gambhir loses steam after a good start:

Gautam Gambhir made his much-anticipated return to Test cricket today after a two years hiatus, replacing Shikhar Dhawan. Fans who were eagerly waiting to watch hi bat received good news when Kohli decided to bat first. Coming along to bat with Murali Vijay, Gambhir began with confidence with consecutive sixes against Matt Henry.

He looked comfortable against spin. The way he was batting at the start made people think that he would reach his fifty in no time. He was scoring at almost a run a ball rate. But, suddenly, he lost the steam and began batting sluggishly. At the end of the 10th over, the left-hander was sitting comfortably at 27 runs off 27. But, in the next 26 deliveries, he could add only one run to his tally and was eventually snapped by Boult.

3. Magnificent Kohli:

Indore’s first day of Test cricket saw became quite memorable after Indian captain Virat Kohli registered a well-compiled hundred. Skipper Virat Kohli batted through tense situations to bat through the Lunch and Tea session o not only save India from fumbling against the disciplined New Zealand bowling but also entertained the Indore crowd with by slamming his 13th test century. It was his first ton at home since 2013.

Kohli began batting with Pujara in the lunch session but could not have his company for long. He smoothly played out the lunch session and took no time to complete his fifty, reaching the milestone in the opening over after the tea break. Conditions looked eased up once he settled down. He batted solidly and batted with good rhythm.

His batting saw India gain a complete hold over the proceedings as the end of the day arrived. His century arrived in a bit risky manner. Needing just one run for his 13th century, Kohli dabbed Matt Henry and tried to steal a single to reach the milestone. However, the fielder was quick and aimed a direct hit forcing Kohli to rush and dive to complete his ton.

4. Spin-pace mixture troubles India:

Before Kohli-Rahane brought stability and made batting easy look easy, the New Zealand bowlers had made full use of the dry and cracked pitch to keep India under control for the first two sessions. The spin – pace mixture by Williamson worked very effectively in the two-paced wicket.

Spinner Mitchell Santner and Jeetan Patel bowled relentlessly and made India work hard while the fast bowling attack comprising of Matt Henry, Trent Boult, and Jimmy Neesham gained good seam movement. Every time India tried to find some momentum, the bowlers pegged New Zealand back with important wickets.

5. India gain firm foot in the final session:

The first two sessions of the match were even. Gautam Gambhir with fellow partner Murali Vijay gave a flashy start but New Zealand made sure that they did not give away the advantage by removing both Murali and Gambhir in the morning session itself. Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli tried rebuilding the Indian inning in the lunch session but the wily spin bowling duo of Mitchell Santner and Jeetan Patel yet gain made sure that India doesn’t gain any momentum and kept them under pressure.

But, things finally began falling India’s way when Kohli and Rahane came together. The duo helped India make a good comeback in the last session and put on an unbeaten 167 runs stand to put India in a dominating position by the end of the day. Both entertained the big Indore crowd that was deprived of any batting brilliance since morning.