Kolkata: A stubborn 141-run 4th wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (87) and Ajinkya Rahane (77) powered India to post 239 runs for loss of 7 wickets on the first day of 5-day second Test match against New Zealand at Eden Gardens here today.
Wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha was batting on 14 and all rounder Ravindra Jadeja was yet to open score when the wickets were taken off four over shorter due to bad light. India made 239 for loss of seven top order batsmen in 86 overs. Pacer Matt Henry was the most successful bowler for Kiwis taking three wickets conceding 35 runs and Jeetan Patel's haul was 2/66. Both the bowlers drafted in for the visiting side.
Cheteshwar Pujara's patient 219-ball 87 runs studded with seventeen boundaries was huge for India's aspiration to win a second successive Test against the visitors after the hosts were tottering 3 for 47 runs in 21.4 overs. As the thinly attendance fans at the 66,000-capacity galleries were hoping to see a ton from the Gujarat batsman, 28-year-old right hander Pujara did other thing hitting loosely a delivery from medium pacer Neil Wagnar and Martin Guptill had an easy catch at the cover.
It was Pujara's 10th half century in 29th Test match. His going meant the end of 4th wicket partnership in 141 runs in 47.3 overs, when India were 187 runs in 69.1 overs.Rohit Sharma whose Eden Gardens, considered to be a favorite hunting ground was quick to return as he gave an easy catch to Tom Latham from the delivery of spinner Jeetan Patel, who also got lbw Ajinkya Rahane (77).
Patel returned the squad with 2/66. Twenty-eight-year-old Mumbai batsman Ajinkya Rahane before getting trapped of a slow delivery from right-hand spinner Jeetan Patel, also scored his 9th half century in 28th Test. His 77 runs ornamented with eleven boundaries from 157 balls.
Incidentally, Eden hosting the 250th Test in Indian soil, witnessed only one overboundary (six) from Wriddhiman Saha in the 79.5 overs off Jeetan Patel, as the Indian batsmen were not feeling comfortable of the Kiwis bowlers throughout the first day of the play.
Earlier, India won the toss and decided to bat first with two changes in the side from the first Test at Kanpur.Top order batsman Shikhar Dawan drafted in place of injured KL Rahul and pacer Bhubaneswar Kumar replaced Umesh Yadav.
Much talked about the return of Gautam Gambhir after two years did not take place as the team management preferred to try with off-form Dhawan, who was bowled by Matt Henry at 1 in the second over of the day.India seeking their successive second victory after Kanpur as a win put them atop the ICC world Test rankings ahead of Pakistan. India lost their 7th wicket when Ravichandran Ashwin (26) was adjudged lbw off Matt Henry at the 84th over.India's S Dawan (1) Murli Vihay (9) and captain Virat Kohli (9) got early out when the score was 46. (UNI)