Asked to bowl first, India steadily took wickets at regular intervals, keeping the game balanced at 201/5 as Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand concluded at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra were the main contributors for the Kiwis, scoring 76 and 65 runs respectively.
However, three wickets from Ravichandran Ashwin and two from Washington Sundar ensured that the visitors couldn’t seize the momentum at any point.
Amidst the on-field action, a lighthearted atmosphere prevailed, thanks to the antics of Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, and Rohit Sharma, who clustered around the bat during intense spells of spin bowling to apply pressure on the opposition.
Pant and Sarfaraz kept up their banter even during breaks in play, culminating in a hilarious moment during the team huddle after lunch.
As most of the Indian contingent gathered near the boundary line waiting for Rohit to deliver the team talk, Pant, fully dressed in wicket-keeping gear, roamed about, eager for the action to resume. He spotted Sarfaraz in the huddle and playfully lifted his left knee close to Sarfaraz’s face, prompting an instinctive retreat from the newcomer.
The two exchanged amused glances, clearly accustomed to this playful rivalry, before the serious business of cricket resumed with Rohit’s arrival.
Rishabh is always so unserious 😭😭
— Juhi Jain (@juhijain199) October 24, 2024
Rohit bhai 😛 pic.twitter.com/qNH9vfReAu
Twitter users couldn’t help but chuckle at the lively commotion caused by the duo whenever they were on the field.