Related Links: India Tour of New Zealand 2013/14 – Schedule | NZ Vs Ind, 1st Test at Eden Park, Auckland – Scorecard
Mohammed Shami triggered India’s fightback
The First Test between New Zealand and India at the Eden Park in Auckland has turned mightily interesting with as many as 17 wickets tumbling down on Day 3. India bounced back strongly through its weak bowling attack which proved all critics wrong by bundling out the Kiwis for a paltry second innings total of 105.
New Zealand had earlier bowled out India for 202 in the visitors’ first innings. Brendon McCullum decided not to enforce the follow on despite securing a 301-run lead and his bowlers sending down only 60 overs. The decision from Brendon McCullum seems to have backfired as his batting line-up was destroyed by the Indian attack.
India resuming Day 3 at 130 for 4 lost wickets in a hurry after the overnight pair of Ajnikya Rahane and Rohit Sharma departed in succession without adding many runs today. Rohit Sharma was the top scorer of the Indian innings with 72. Ravindra Jadeja scored the next highest with an unbeaten 30. For the Kiwis, Neil Wagner took 4 for 64 while Trent Boult and Tim Southee, the new ball bowlers took three wickets each.
It was Mohammed Shami who triggered the Indian fightback with the quick wickets of the New Zealand openers. The fielders especially Ravindra Jadeja and Ajinkya Rahane produced some magic as well to dent the Kiwis badly. Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma took three wickets while Zaheer Khan collected two wickets. New Zealand were bowled out in just 41.2 overs to end up with an overall lead of 406. Ross Taylor was the top scorer in the second innings with 41.
India by the close of play worked hard to reach 87 for 1 in 25 overs with the lone casualty being Murali Vijay. Shikhar Dhawan is batting on 49* (from 70 balls) along with Cheteshwar Pujara (22* from 61 balls). The match is on at the Eden Park and it could well be over on Day 4 with India needing 320 more runs and the Kiwis needing 8 more wickets.
This ANZ Test Series between New Zealand and India is shown live on Sony Six. The NZ Vs Ind, Test Match begins daily at 3:30 AM India time.
Match Video: Won’t let India win 1st Test: NZ pacer Neil Wagner
