Shreyas Iyer’s maiden Test century helped on the second day of the Kanpur Test India After a huge total of 345 in the first innings. However, the visitors left no stone unturned to disappoint the Indian bowlers with a convincing batting performance. New Zealand scored 129 for no loss at stumps on the second day, with both openers Tom Latham (50*) and Will Young (75*) returning with half-centuries. The visiting team trailed by 216 runs.
The day began with some brilliant stroke play from Iyer after India resumed the innings at 258 for 4. The Mumbai cricketer became the sixteenth Indian to score a century in his first match. Iyer went after pacer Kyle Jamieson in the morning session as he scored 22 runs off just 19 balls to reach three figures within the first 30 minutes of the second day’s play. He is only the second Indian after G Vishwanath to score a century in his debut match at Kanpur.
India vs New Zealand, 1st Test, Highlights of the day
While Iyer held the fort at one end, Kiwi pacer Tim Southee wreaked havoc at the other end to pick up a five-wicket haul. The right-arm Tej began the carnage by overtaking Ravindra Jadeja (50) and then dismissed Riddhima Saha (1), Akshar Payal (3) and Iyer (105).
Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin showed little resistance at the end of the first session along with Umesh Yadav and was successful in the innings after lunch. However, the partnership did not last long as spinner Ejaz Patel took the remaining two wickets, reducing the hosts to 345.
Ashwin was clean bowled for 38 by the Kiwi spinner, while Ishant Sharma was the last wicket to fall for a five-ball duck.
New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Will Young may have looked a bit nervous in the beginning but their patience against the home attack was commendable. After a poor and slow start, both scored their respective half-centuries while the hosts fought hard for one wicket for the entire season and a half.
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The home team’s bowlers appealed for Latham’s dismissal thrice from the leg before and the umpires also forced the finger to lift. But the Kiwi opener was lucky to turn down the decision as he sidelined the ball on all three occasions. Every time he was given out, he immediately reviewed and the umpire had to change his decision. After getting three lives, the left-hander remained unbeaten on 50 off 165 balls and will resume the innings at 129 for 0 on Saturday.
Young, on the other hand, also performed brilliantly with the bat. In just the fourth Test of his career, the right-handed batsman hit 12 boundaries and returned unbeaten on 75 off 180 balls. He faced 180 balls and batted at a good strike rate of 41.67.
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