Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on an unbeaten stand of 58 as India battled to 146/3 when bad light forced an early end to the day, with only 64.4 overs of play possible.
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The final of the maiden edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand is finely poised, following the second day in Southampton. An unbeaten stand of 58 between Team India skipper Virat Kohli and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will see the team resume on 146/3 on Day 3. Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand. He recorded nine maidens and maintained relentless pressure on the top-order, conceding 14 runs while picking one wicket in as many overs.
The game started half an hour early after the opening day was washed out, with New Zealand winning the toss. The Black Caps opted to bowl in overcast conditions, having picked an all-seam attack. The Indian players wore a black armband in memory of Milkha Singh, the great Indian athlete who passed away at the age of 91 on Friday.
India got off to a solid start, with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill looking confident in the middle. The former scored four boundaries as the opening pair recorded a 50-run stand. A change in the bowling attack reduced the flow of runs, with New Zealand getting the breakthrough soon after. Tim Southee completed a fine catch low to his right, off Jamieson to dismiss Rohit for 34. This was soon followed by a second wicket for the Black Caps before lunch, as Neil Wagner struck with only his third ball of the match. Wagner obtained an edge off Shubman’s bat with keeper BJ Watling comfortably completing a catch in his final Test.
India resumed on 69/2 after lunch with Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara showing limited intent. Pujara scored off just two of the 53 deliveries he faced before Trent Boult dismissed the No. 3 batsman for 8, having got one to swing back in. Boult thought he had Kohli caught down the leg side just four balls later. However, an umpire referral for grounding showed that the catch was taken cleanly by Watling, with a subsequent check of Ultra Edge showing no spike, meaning Kohli survived.
Bad light forced the players off shortly before the scheduled tea break. However, the same issue halted play just three overs after the restart.
Conditions thankfully improved, allowing Kohli and Rahane to resume the evening session. The pair survived a testing six-over spell, adding nine further runs before the game closed in for a third and final time.
India will resume on 146/3 on Sunday morning, with Kohli unbeaten on 44* and Rahane still there on 29*.
The Team India skipper has become the first captain to lead India in a neutral Test in their history. This was the 61st Test that Kohli is the captain, breaking the previous record of 60 by MS Dhoni.
Scores in brief: India 146/3 in 64.4 overs (Virat Kohli 44 not out, Rohit Sharma 34; Kyle Jamieson 1/14, Neil Wagner 1/28).
It will be interesting to note the approach from Kohli and Rahane on Day 3, having maintained a safety-first approach on Day 2. There could be a twist in the tale if rain hampers the game like it did on the opening day of the match.
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