India v New Zealand, 2nd test, Kolkata, Day 1 - India's batting display was not up to the mark

There was grass on the track and inconsistent bounce on the track at Eden Gardens. At first sight, one would feel the match was played at Eden Park rather than the city of joy. To survive on such tracks, you need application rather than exhibiting adventure as this is Test cricket and not Twenty20 League.

I could not understand, why a batsman like Virat Kohli played the shot with an angled bat. Boult’s delivery was slightly on a half-volley length and was outside off, at which Kohli executed the shot with an angled bat on a track which encouraged movement. Virat fell cheaply and if Kohli wishes to be regarded as one of the all-time bests, he needs to be a consistent performer in Test cricket.

Scoring huge runs in Twenty20 or 50-over format may earn you plenty of endorsements, but not greatness.

Chetehswar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s composure arrested a collapse, but as soon as they were dismissed, India’s batting struggled again. A Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja might come good, but their success are not a hundred percent guarantee.

Again, Pujara failed to make it big. Suddenly, he gets out of the zone when it seems he will reach triple figures.

The top order needs adjustment and the deserving boys need to be included rather than wasting time on players who are certified failures in Test cricket. Eg. Rohit Sharma.

I enjoyed Matt Henry’s back-of-a-length bowling. Trent Boult nipped back in and swung away while Neil Wagner’s round the wicket rib cage deliveries did create pressure.  They need to strike early and restrict India below 300 on day 2.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar