India v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Kolkata, Day 2 and 3 - New Zealand's frustrating batting and Kohli and Rohit's fluency

New Zealand’s batting line-up is all about Kane Williamson at the moment. If he stays at the crease, they breathe. Otherwise, they just end up the ghost in a surprising manner. I used ‘surprising’ as because, when you see a quality player like Ross Taylor to bat like a novice and fails to gel the batting line-up together, definitely, I get surprised.

The Kolkata track is naughty, but for the experienced customers, they pose a threat, but doesn’t devour them. With due respect to Bhuvenshwar Kumar’s five-wicket haul, the Kiwi batsmen were short of right attitude at the crease on day 2.

Even the Indian batting line-up was left reeling on day 3, but two particular knocks need to be mentioned especially as it accelerated the Indian innings.

If Ross Taylor loves to play his strokes the, he should have trusted his natural instincts and advised one of his batters to support his aggression.

Look how Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma invested faith in their natural game despite the trickiness of the pitch and some brilliant bowling from Matt Henry. Yes, one can say, India’s lead and poor batting by New Zealand, let Kohli and Rohit to switch to their natural style of play, but again, if the circumstances are in favour of you, why not utilize it.

Kohli’s asset was his shuffling across the crease by pivoting on the back foot. It allowed him to get behind the line of the ball and send it wherever he wanted. Taylor maneuvered his field, but it meant nothing for Kohli. He made just 45 runs, but I would rate this knock of Kohli as one of the finest I have seen from him in white clothes.

Rohit delivered another half century in a very crucial stage of the match and his asset was focus. He picked the length early on such a tricky track. But he must not forget the support he received from Wriddhiman Saha. He provided the perfect foil to Rohit’s aggression.

India’s leading is huge and I don’t think New Zealand cannot survive long on this track.    

Thank You

Faisal Caesar