India were 146 for 3 at stumps on the second day of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, here on Saturday. After the tea break, it was a switch on switch off mode as bad light continuously interrupted the proceedings.
At the break, Virat Kohli (44 batting) and Ajinkya Rahane (29 batting) were at the crease, when the umpires decided to call it a day. The duo has added 58-runs for the fourth wicket so far.
India, who had reached 120 for 3 at tea, added 26 runs in the third session without any casualty. In the second session, Pujara (8 of 54) was dismissed by an inswinger from Trent Boult.
Earlier, After losing the toss India has started day one of the WTC finals on a positive note as the duo openers Rohit Sharma and Shubhman Gill saw the toughest phase of the match with the bat before departing to the pavilion. The openers put up a stand of 62 runs in the testing conditions against the swing bowlers of Newzealand.
While the Newzealand bowlers failed to become lethal on a pitch that carried pace and bounce. However, they picked both the openers at the stroke of lunch that could be the only solace for Kane and company. Rohit Sharma (34 off 68 balls) and Shubman Gill (28 off 64 balls) gave India a fine start and added 62 for the opening stand before Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner got rid of them in quick succession.
Earlier, Newzealand won the toss and bowl first vs India in the WTC final on Saturday. The team had gone with four frontline pace bowlers so there is no spinner in Newzealand team. Colin De grahome was kept as an all-rounder.
After a disappointing day full of showers, finally, team India and Newzealand will have the opportunity to prove their mettle at the highest stage of red-ball cricket- The world test championship final. Thankfully an extra half an hour play will be added to the rest of the four days and one day which was kept in reserve after there was no play on Friday.
