India vs New Zealand Day 2: Hosts take the lead with a superb knock from Williamson but Ishant Sharma fights back with triple strikes

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Image Courtesy: Reuters/BCCI

Day 2 of the first Test between New Zealand and India is over, and at stumps, the hosts have taken the lead by 51 runs. Following a disappointing batting performance on Day 1 yesterday, India are now training behind. Taking the lead in the 52nd over, New Zealand are now on a score of 216 from 5 wickets at Basin Reserve cricket ground. Althogh, Ishant Sharma has impressed with picking up three wickets.

Image Courtesy: Reuters/BCCI

While the Kiwis opening duo Tom Lathan and Tom Blundell didn’t have much to offer, the skipper Kane Williamson laid down a brilliant innings. The 29 year old scored 89, with eleven boundaries, until losing his wicket against Mohammed Shami in the 63rd over.

The swashbuckling veteran Ross Taylor stayed off till his impressive 44, and knocked off six boundaries and one over boundary. Black Caps wicket keeper BJ Watling and superstar all rounder Colin de Grandhomme are currently on the strike at the end of Day 2.

Despite a poor batting performance yesterday, the Men in Blue have made an effort to redeem themselves today with a stunning spell from Ishant Sharma. The 31 year old veteran pacer, who had just returned from an injury, secured three wickets in today’s match.

Picking up the opening duo and also the blistering Taylor in the 52nd over, Sharma put up an amazing economy rate of just 2.07 from bowling 15 full overs, shelling out a tight 31 runs.

Despite sustaining a ligament injury last month, Sharma lead the Indian bowling squad with grace. “Yes, if it’s possible to play, I will play but if it’s not, there’s hardly anything that I could have done,” he told reporters after the day’s play.

While Shami and Ashwin each secured one, the latter sending Henry Nicholls back to the pavilion, it was a dry day from the iconic Jasprit Bumrah. Following a lacklustre ODI series, the 26 year old is now on five consecutive international matches without a wicket.

However, Sharma’s words reflected total confidence on his teammate: “I don’t think anyone doubts Boom’s ability. Since his debut, what he has achieved for India, I don’t think anyone should raise any questions.”

Bowling 18 full overs and the first ball of his 19th over, Bumrah gave out 62 runs.

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