The Christchurch Test saw the momentum switch from India to New Zealand on Day 2, but ended with the hosts on the driver’s seat. India were reeling at 90 for 6 in their second innings, with a lead of 97. The Kiwis, who had started the day at 63 for no loss had folded for 235 earlier in the day, to hand India a slender seven-run lead.
It was the Indian pacers who set the momentum in the first session of the day, as the Kiwis lost 5 wickets for just 79 runs. Umesh Yadav got the first scalp of the day as he got Tom Blundell. Jasprit Bumrah then got the crucial wicket of Kane Williamson, which opened the way for a collapse.
Ross Taylor was out trying to slog Ravindra Jadeja, while Tom Latham played straight and misjudged the line after bringing up his fifty. At 130 for 4, the onus was on Henry Nicholls to steady the ship. He had gone ten innings without a fifty, and Mohammad Shami ensured that his wait continued as New Zealand went into lunch at 142 for 5, still trailing by 100 runs.
The Indian bowlers, however, struggled with wiping the tail yet again, as the last five wickets could add 93 runs.
In the Indian innings, Mayank Agarwal was nipped out early, while Prithvi Shaw fell to the short ball. Skipper Virat Kohli’s horrible tour continued as he managed only 14 and was plumb in front off the bowling of Colin de Grandhomme. India were struggling at 51 for 3, but the duo of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara bought stability of sorts.
However, Rahane seemed to be living on borrowed time after he was dropped by de Grandhomme and survived a few iffy moments. He was eventually out to a poor stroke. Pujara too fell to Trent Boult as they lost three quick wickets to hand the hosts a huge advantage.
Brief scores: India 242 & 90/6 (Trent Boult 3-13) lead New Zealand 235 (Tom Latham 52; Mohammed Shami 4-22) by 97 runs.
