IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: We are underway

The play on Day 1 of the second Test between India and New Zealand begins in Pune. For New Zealand, skipper Tom Latham and Devon Conway have started the proceedings. The duo need to form a good partnership as the visitors eye a solid start to the match. On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah will be bowling the first over for India. The hosts are aiming to scalp some quick wickets, in order to gain an upper hand in the game.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: New Zealand’s Playing XI

New Zealand (Playing XI): Tom Latham(c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell(w), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William ORourke

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: India’s Playing XI

India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Here’s what Rohit Sharma said at the toss

“Would’ve batted as well. When you play a Test match like that, the first session didn’t go our way. But we batted well in the second innings. We take a lot of positives from that and see how we can turn things around here. Always want to find ways to get back into the Test match when you’re behind. That’s what we did. Pitch is a little drier, yes. We do understand how important the first 10 overs are. Three changes – Siraj, KL and Kuldeep miss out. Akash Deep, Washington and Gill come in.”

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Here’s what Tom Latham said at the toss

“We’re going to have a bat. Surface slightly different to what it was last week. Not a lot of grass. Might produce a bit of spin as we expect when we come to these parts of the world. Obviously a really proud moment for this group. We celebrated that but our focus has quickly turned to Pune here. It’s just about adapting to this surface. Trying to take the confidence we built up from last week. Matt Henry misses out with a glute niggle. Santner comes in.”

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Toss

New Zealand skipper Tom Latham wins toss, opts to bat against India in the third Test of three-match series in Pune.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Pitch report

The colour of the pitch remains the same – black soil in both Bangalore and Pune. On a good length area, it’s a lot more dry and a lot more devoid of grass. The team winning the toss should bat first, and there will be enough assistance for spinners from ball one.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Sarfaraz warming up

As per the current visuals, batter Sarfaraz Khan can be seen warming up in the ground. In the first Test, he came as a replacement of Shubman Gill and hammered 150 runs. However, as Gill is now fit to return, there were questions regarding his spot in the second Test. The official confirmation is still not out and we have to wait to see the final Playing XI.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Rohit-Virat need to fire

One could say a big score for each of the two seniors, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, is around the corner. The latter, especially, would be keen to draw from his 254 not out here in 2019-20, which paved the way for an innings and 137-run thrashing of South Africa. By his own lofty standards, Yashasvi Jaiswal endured twin failures in the Bengaluru Test and the young batter looked to iron out his flaws when he had multiple stints in the nets.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Who will make way for Gill?

With Shubman Gill priming for a comeback, one among KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan will have to make way. Coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed his desire to give the latter a long rope but Sarfaraz has made a strong case with his second innings 150 in Bengaluru.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Visitors in lead

After being shot out for an embarrassing 46 in the first innings at Bengaluru, India’s resolute show in the second innings could not prevent an eight-wicket pounding which saw the top-ranked team in the World Test Championship table dropping points even though it continues to hold the top spot. Winning the next two Tests will be first priority for Rohit Sharma and his men before they hit the Australian shores for a five-Test affair next month.

IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Day 1 Live: Hello

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second Test of the three-match series between India and New Zealand, straight from the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. Stay tuned for all the live updates.