IND vz NZ 1st Test: After posting a good total of 345 runs in the first innings, India clearly missed the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Shami, and Mohammad Siraj as Ishant Sharma & Co returned empty-handed on Day 2. Follow InsideSport.in for more updates
The likes of Ishant Sharma & Umesh Yadav failed to provide an early breakthrough and later the spin trio of R Jadeja, R Ashwin & Axar Patel too couldn’t chip in wicket as Kiwis owned the day.
IND vs NZ 1st Test: No Bumrah, no Shami, no party for Team India as Ishant Sharma & Co struggle against Kiwis in Kanpur
The likes of J Bumrah, Mohd Shami, and Mohd Siraj bowled in tandem in the England tour, especially in Lord’s Test in difficult situations, and brought India back in the game. The trio was amongst the leading wicket-taker in the series and troubled England back in their den.
IND vs ENG in July-September 2021
- Jasprit Bumrah – 18 wickets in 7 innings – second leading wicket-taker in the series
- Mohammad Siraj – 14 wickets in 7 innings – third leading wicket-taker in the series
- Mohammad Shami – 11 wickets in 5 innings – fifth leading wicket-taker in the series
Coming back to the Kanpur Test, the spin trio of R Ashwin, Axar Patel, and R Jadeja were expected to be potent especially with the cracks coming up on Day 2 on Kanpur’s surface. However, all the three spinners were unable to threaten the Kiwi batters as Will Young returned with an unbeaten 75 and played patiently against both – pace and spin attack. His opening partner Tom Latham too scored a fifty and kept Indian bowlers at bay as the duo stitched 3rd highest opening stands for New Zealand in India.
Highest opening stands for NZ in India
231 M Richardson – L Vincent Mohali 2003/04
131 M Horne – G Stead Ahmedabad 1999/00
129*T Latham – W Young Kanpur 2021/22
Ashwin was the leading wicket-taker in the series with a record 32 wickets when England toured India back in 2021 during Feb-March. Axar Patel too was impressive and finished as the second leading wicket-taker with 27 wickets in just 3 matches. But, both of them failed to provide a breakthrough.
Also, three decisions that could have gone in India’s favour were overturned. Tom Latham who was given ‘Out’ thrice by the on-field umpires survived on all occasions on the back of DRS.
Batsmen thrice overturning OUT decision in an innings (Tests)
Moeen Ali vs Ban Chattogram 2016/17
Tom Latham vs Ind Kanpur 2021/22
However, as Shreyas Iyer said after Day 2’s play that the cracks are opening up it is expected to get trickier for New Zealand. And, the likes of R Ashwin & Axar Patel along with Ravindra Jadeja could bring India back in the game. The Kiwis innings trail by 216 run with Will Young unbeaten at 75 and Tom Latham not out at 50.
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