New Delhi: Powerful half-centuries from talented Shubman Gill and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant helped India regain control in the first session of the second day of third and final Test match against New Zealand. Starting from an overnight score of 86/4, the duo added 96 runs for the fifth wicket in the first session of play at the Wankhede stadium.
Pant lost his wicket unfortunately before lunch on 60 runs after he was trapped leg before wicket by Kiwi bowler Ish Sodhi. The left-handed batter, who has been instrumental for India in tough situations in the past, got to his fifty in just 36 deliveries. Meanwhile for Gill, it was the first half-centuries in the series. When lunch was called on Day 2, India were firm at 195/5, still trailing the Kiwis by 40 runs.
– Gill gets his first fifty of the series
– Pant gets to his fifty in just 36 ballsIndia start the day brilliantly 🔥
🔗 https://t.co/Vq9uHVazcz | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/36gR0LJ9sj
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) November 2, 2024
Responsibility on Gill and Jadeja
After the dismissal of Pant, Ravindra Jadeja was sent in before Sarfaraz Ahmed to keep the left hand-right hand combination going. In the second session of play, the entire responsibility will be on the shoulders of Gill and Jadeja to push India’s score as much as possible. Gill was solid on 70, with four boundaries and a six at lunch while Jadeja was batting on 10.
Post the pair, Sarfaraz Khan is the only recognised batter in the Indian line up and team must be praying for the duo to stay on the crease and help India get a considerable lead in the match.
