'Spying on us?' - Ritika Sajdeh pulls Rohit Sharma's leg for using binoculars to watch the match

India and New Zealand are battling out at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton in the highly-anticipated World Test Championship final. After the day first day was gifted to rain, there were multiple interruptions on the second day owing to the drizzles and bad light. However, much to the fans’ respite, there was 64.4 overs of action possible, after New Zealand won the toss and inserted India to bat.

While all eyes were on the pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who had no prior experience of opening in these shores of the world, the two batters applied themselves commendably, adding 62 for the opening wicket before being dismissed in quick succession. Once dismissed, Rohit was spotted in the Indian dugout with binoculars, perhaps trying to have a keener look at the game before he steps out during the second innings.

Rohit’s better half, Ritika Sajdeh, however, utilized the opportunity for some leg-pulling as she wrote “Trying to watch the game or spy on us,” in her Instagram story with a picture of Rohit with the binoculars.

India steady at the end of Day 2

Meanwhile, amidst all the speculations of team combination, Indian skipper Virat Kohli informed that the team has stuck with the already-announced combination. In stark contrast to India, who fielded three pacers and two spinners, New Zealand went ahead with the all-pace template, playing four pacers alongside seam-bowling all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme.

India finished the second day in a sturdy position at 146/3, having lost Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply to Trent Boult after the two openers were sent back by Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner in tandem. Two of India’s most crucial batters – Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane – joined forces, showing tremendous patience as they battled a decorated quintet of New Zealand pacers.

Quite surprisingly, though, New Zealand lacked the bite with the new ball initially, with both Tim Southee and Trent Boult drifting deliveries down the leg side and unable to exploit the conducive conditions to the best of their advantage.

Later, however, they got into the groove, with the ball flying past the outside edges of both Rahane and Kohli. With multiple hiccups due to bad light and partial drizzle, the Indian skipper and his deputy did a worthy job, keeping their concentration intact before the final bad-light interruption of the day that forced stumps early.