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Sat, 19 June 2021
WTC Updates: Play called off on Day 2; India 146/3

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22:56   Play called off on Day 2; India 146/3

India 146-3 (64.4 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Play has been called on Day 2 in Southampton because of bad light in the weather-hit World Test Championship final on Saturday.

India end the second day on 134/3 after being put into bat.

India captain Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 40, while Ajinkya Rahane was on 22 when play was suspended due to bad light.

The opening day was washed out because of rain.

Openers Rohit Sharma (34 off 68) and Shubman Gill (28 off 64) did well to withstand an initial swing onslaught with disciplined batting putting on 69 runs for the first wicket before the Kiwi pacers dismissed both in quick succession.

India could add just 51 runs in the post-lunch session, losing the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara (8 off 54).

Kohli and his deputy Rahane frustrated the New Zealand bowlers with their determined approach as they added 58 runs for the fourth wicket.
22:43   Bad light halts play again; India 146/3

India 146-3 (64.4 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

The umpires have gone out and checked the conditions but they don't seem to be in any hurry.

It is unlikely that play could resume as the light doesn't seems to have improved since the time the teams walked off the field.

Stay tuned!

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21:34   Bad light halts play again; India 146/3

India 146-3 (64.4 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Jamieson continues with the ball as he gets Kohli to edge one but it goes towards the gully fielder.

The next two balls are wide of the off-stump as Kohli leaves before he blocks the next followed by another leave and he pushes the last ball on the leg side.

Southee gets the ball to come in sharply as Rahane gets an inside edge trying to defend as it goes towards fine leg for a couple.

Another incoming delivery as Rahane manages to defend it with a straight bat before pushing a wide delivery into the covers and solidly defends the last ball right under his eyes.

Left-arm pacer Trent Boult comes into the attack. Kohli flicks the first ball to midwicket as the fielder makes a diving stop before he misses the clip but manages to get a leg bye.

In the next over, Kohli gets the flick through midwicket off Southee for a couple of runs as he gets his score into the 40s.

Boult continues as Rahane nudges the second ball to fine leg for one and Kohli taps the third ball to point for a couple.

It has gone dark at the Ageas Bowl as the umpire call the players off the field due to bad light.

India have done well to reach 146/3 with Kohli on 44 and Rahane on 29, with the duo stitching a nice partnership of 58 to keep the Kiwis at bay.

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21:03   Kohli, Rahane rebuild India

India 138-3 (60 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Pacer Kyle Jamieson to continue with the ball as the game gets underway. Kohli offers no shot to the first ball after the restart before the last ball of the over strikes him on the pads but the LBW shout is turned down.

Veteran Tim Southee from the other end. Rahane defends the first three balls before he pulls a short ball in commanding fashion through square leg for a four.

Southee immediately reverts to the full outswinger which Rahane is able to leave easily and pushes the last ball into the covers.

20:54  

India 134-3 (58 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Play is set to resume at the Ageas Bowl with the covers coming off the pitch. The players are all set to walk out to the middle to resume proceedings.
20:29   Bad light halts play again; India 134/3

India 134-3 (58 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Kyle Jamieson comes back into the attack. Kohli taps the first ball on the off-side before he drives the next straight back to the fielder at mid-off.

Kohli avoids his mistake in the previous over as he leaves the wide deliveries.

The umpires again check for the light as it again gets a bit dark at the Ageas Bowl.

The light meter reading shows that light is not good enough for play to continue as the players are forced off the field.

India are 134/3 in 58.4 overs as play is suspended due to bad light.
20:25   Kohli, Rahane rebuild India

India 134-3 (58 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

The delay is a short one as Kohli and Rahane make their way out to the middle along with the New Zealand fielders.

Southee will start off with the ball, to finish his over after both teams had to walk off with bad light in the post-lunch session.

The first ball of the session is wide as Rahane leaves before he tries to glance the next but misses and it goes off the thigh pad to the wicketkeeper and blocks out the last ball.

Wagner from the other end. Kohli chases a wide delivery as he hits it uppishly to cover point before he edges the next but it falls short of Southee at second slip.

Kohli drives a full delivery down to mid-off for a single and Rahane top edges the pull for another run.

Kohli then hits Wagner through the covers for three runs before Rahane drives the last ball in the same region for a four.

Southee bowls a beauty, the outswinger pitched perfectly as Kohli chases and is beaten. The next ball is again a similar delivery as Kohli plays another loose poke to be beaten again.

Southee bowls the third ball on the stumps as Kohli taps it to midwicket and gets off strike.

Southee produces another beauty. The outswinger moves away late as Rahane is committed to the defensive poke and is beaten.

Another top delivery from the veteran pacer as Rahane plays and misses trying to block it.

The last ball is fuller and wide as Rahane steers it past gully for a four as the fielder touches the boundary skirting while trying to keep the ball inside.
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20:09   Bad light halts play; India 120/3

India 120-3 (55.3 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

The resumption of play in the post-tea session has been delayed because of bad light.

The umpires are having a chat with the two teams, who are stationed inside their dressing rooms as of now.

Kohli and Rahane have kept the Kiwis at bay, putting on 32 runs from 92 balls for the fourth wicket so far.

Kohli has been happy to bide his time, scoring 35 from 94 balls, while Rahane is on 13.
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19:45   Kohli, Rahane guide India to 120/3 at tea

India 120-3 (55.3 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Wagner back into the attack. Rahane defends the first couple of deliveries before he throws his bat at a wide delivery which falls just short of the gully fielder.

Rahane then taps the fifth ball to midwicket for a single and Kohli avoids the last ball, which is a quick bouncer slanted across him.

The light has faded quite sharply despite the floodlights as the umpires come together and have a discussion.

With the lights not upto the mark, the umpires decide to take tea with India on 120/3 in 55.3 overs.

Kohli has battled hard to score 35 not out from 94 balls, and Rahane on 13 from 54 balls, with the duo putting on 32 runs so far.

India scored 51 runs from 27.3 overs for the loss of one wicket in the post-lunch session on Day 2.
19:34   Kohli, Rahane take India past 100

India 118-3 (54 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

De Grandhomme is back into the attack. Rahane watchfully keeps out the medium pacer as he defends it on the off-side, trying to play it late. After five defensive shots he leaves the last ball as de Grandhomme bowls another maiden over.

Southee looking to settle into a rhythm as he follows the script of keeping it wide to Kohli. The India captain has so far been very patient, not chasing the wide ones and waiting for the ones pitched on the stumps to score.

Southee bowls five dots in a row before Kohli flicks the last ball for a single through midwicket.

In the next over, Kohli taps de Grandhomme to point for a single and Rahane inside edges the next ball on to his pads.

The India vice-captain then slaps a short wide delivery through the covers for a four to bring some cheer in the Indian dressing room.

Kohli pushes Southee through the covers for a couple and steers the next ball past gully for two more runs.

Southee goes for the yorker as Kohli digs it out towards midwicket. He nearly gets an edge trying to drive it as Southee beats him with the full outswinger, which moves away quite a bit.

Kohli runs the last ball past the gully fielder for two runs off the last ball.
19:21   Kohli, Rahane take India past 100

India 106-3 (50 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Kohli taps Jamieson on the off-side for a quick single and Rahane pushes the next to point but offers no shot to a wide delivery.

Rahane is happy to leave the wide delivery before he ducks under a bouncer.

Kohli opens the face of the bat and steers Boult behind point for three runs.

Overpitched from Boult as Rahane drills it through the covers for a couple of runs and defends the next on the off-side and offers no shot to the next ball.

Southee is back into the attack in place of Jamieson. He has so far failed to find his rhythm. He bowls a beauty to beat Kohli, who looks to defend but is beaten by the perfectly-pitched outswinger.

Kohli gets the next ball off the middle into the covers and inside edges the last ball on to the pads.

India are 106/3 in 50 overs, with Kohli on 27 and Rahane on eight. They continue to bat solidly and grind out the Kiwi bowlers in tough conditions.
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19:07   Kohli, Rahane take India past 100

India 100-3 (47 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Boult continues as he starts his new over with a bouncer which Kohli ducks under and then blocks the next.

A good short ball from the left-arm pacer as Kohli is able to get on top of it and defends it down the pitch.

The India captain clips the last ball behind square on the leg side and pushes Rahane for the second run.

A good inswinger from Jamieson as Rahane offers no shot and is hit on the pads with New Zealand appealing more in hope.

Jamieson bowling a good spell, making the batsmen play more often than not. Rahane looks to defend and keep the tall pacer at bay. The last ball comes in and bounces quite a bit as Rahane does well to keep it down.

Boult bowls it full on the stumps as Kohli flicks it through midwicket for three runs. He tries a similar delivery to Rahane, who is happy to defend it with soft hands.

Boult then tries the wide full delivery as Rahane goes for the big cover drive but only manages the inside edge back on to his pads.

He gets the fifth ball through the covers for a couple to bring up India's 100 in the 47th over.

The last ball is pitched on the leg stump as Rahane misses the clip and is hit on the pads.
18:50   Pujara out for 8; India lose 3rd wicket

India 93-3 (44 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Boult gets the ball to swing as Kohli defends watchfully and then taps the next on the leg side for a single.

Rahane has a close shave as he attempts the quick single and is struggling to make his crease but is lucky that Kane Williamson misses the direct hit.

Jamieson testing Rahane's patience with deliveries bowled in the channel just on and around the off-stump. The India vice-captain offers no shot to the first four balls before playing a loose poke to the fifth ball pitched much closer.

Rahane watchfully plays out the last ball of the over as India reach 93/3 in 44 overs at the drinks break.
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18:44   Pujara out for 8; India lose 3rd wicket

India 91-3 (42 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Boult is back into the attack. Kohli pushes the first ball on the off-side and takes a quick single.

Boult gets the first wicket of the session with the wicket of Pujara, who is trapped leg before wicket for eight from 54 balls. Pujara was done in by the inswinging delivery as he hit on the back leg to be trapped leg before wicket.

Pujara has a chat with captain Kohli before deciding to walk off without taking the review as India lose their third wicket.

Boult tries another inswinger but new batsman Ajinkya Rahane clips it through square leg for three runs to get off the mark.

Boult has a huge appeal for catch down the leg side as Kohli tries to glance it fine. Boult is totally convinced that there was a fine edge as the two umpires decide to have a chat and check the replays.

There is nothing on the UltraEdge as Kohli survives the umpires review.

Jamieson continues as Rahane blocks the incoming delivery and offers no shot to the next two deliveries.

Jamieson pitches it closer to the stumps as Rahane defends it on the off-side. He attempts to leave the next ball but the ball deflects off the bat towards gully followed by another leave.
18:29   Kohli, Pujara keep Kiwis at bay

India 87-2 (40 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

De Grandhomme looking to tempt Kohli in the channel outside the off-stump. He is pitching the outswingers up and hoping Kohli gets edge while going for the cover drive.

De Grandhomme has looked to hold one end up, conceding 15 runs from eight overs, including five maidens.

Importantly, he is looking to frustrate Kohli with some tight bowling by drying up the runs.

A good short ball from Wagner as Pujara goes for the pull shot which he misses and is struck on the back of the helmet.

Wagner tests him with another short ball which Pujara defends and does the same last ball.

De Grandhomme overpitches the outswinger as Kohli drives it off the front foot through the covers and pushes Pujara for the third run.

Pujara steers the next ball off the outside half of the bat to gully and then blocks a full ball on the stumps.

India have managed just 12 runs in 10 overs of the second session. Kohli tries to up the tempo as he attempts to smash a short ball from Wagner over point but is beaten.

Kohli steers the fifth ball through the point region for a couple and then takes strike with one from the last ball.

Jamieson into the attack for the first time in the post-lunch session. Kohli offers no shot to the first ball and does the same for the next few deliveries.

Jamieson forced to come closer as he pitches it full on the stumps and Kohli flicks it through midwicket for three runs.

New Zealand have dried up the runs, with India managing just 18 runs from 12 overs to take their total to 87/2 in 40 overs.
18:08   Kohli, Pujara keep Kiwis at bay

India 78-2 (35 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

De Grandhomme's medium pace bowling not creating too many problems for the two Indian batsmen.

Kohli doesn't have to play much as the medium pacer keeps it wide. But he gets the last ball right as the outswinger moves away quite a bit after pitching.

Kohli tries to defend but is hit high on the pads as the leg before shout is turned down for height.

Wagner slants the ball across right-hander Pujara, who is happy to leave all of them. The pacer then bowls it fuller and close to the stumps as Pujara is forced to defend and he does the same next ball.

The last ball is short as Pujara rocks back and cuts it past point for a four to get off the mark, from the 36th ball faced.

De Grandhomme bowls it full as Kohli defends and does the same next ball. He pushes the third ball into the off-side as India have it easy against the medium pacer.

The de Grandhomme experiment is not bearing any fruits for the Kiwis at the moment, and it is only helping Kohli and Pujara get their eye in with more time spent at the wicket.

Pujara took 36 balls to get off the mark, but now he has two fours in a row. He hits his second four in a row against Wagner, this time driving the first ball of his new over through the covers.

Wagner drops it short as Pujara shapes up for the upper cut before deciding against it.

India have scored nine runs in the first seven overs of the post-lunch session but importantly have been able to bat relatively trouble free.
17:53   Kohli, Pujara keep Kiwis at bay

India 70-2 (31 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Wagner starts off with the ball for Kiwis in the post-lunch session.

Captain Kohli offers no shot to the first ball before he drives the next ball straight to the fielder at mid-off.

He then pushes the next into the covers followed by another leave and does the same next ball and blocks the last ball into the leg side.

De Grandhomme from the other end ahead of the specialist fast bowlers. Pujara leaves the first ball before he taps the next on the leg side and he manages to play out the rest of the over with utmost caution.

Pujara looks in no rush and is yet to get off the mark from 30 balls faced so far.

Wagner pitches on the stumps as Kohli blocks and then leaves a bouncer pitched wide. He shuffles across to cover the line before leaving another delivery slanted across him before he taps the last ball on the leg side for a quick run, the first off the session.

Neil Wagner
Neil Wagner
17:04   Openers perish; India 69/2 at lunch

India 69-2 (28 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Southee continues as New Zealand look for another wicket or two before the lunch interval.

Southee tries to tempt Pujara with wide deliveries but the India No 3 is happy to leave them alone.

Southee comes close to the stumps as Pujara defends the next few balls and then keeps out a short rising delivery directed at the body.

In the next over, Kohli gets off the mark in grand style. Wagner bowls a full delivery right in the slot as the India captain plays his trademark cover drive for a magnificent boundary.

Wagner gets the ball to swing into Kohli, who pushes it past short midwicket for a single and Pujara keeps out the last two balls.

Southee to bowl the final over of the session. He bowls it in the channel just outside the off-stump as Kohli is happy to leave it alone with lunch round the corner.

Southee loses his radar with the inswinger as he slips it down the leg side for another easy leave for Kohli.

Another incoming delivery as Kohli glances it to fine leg for one and Pujara defends the last ball to mid-on.

India go into the lunch break on Day 2 on 69/2 in 28 overs with Kohli on six and Pujara yet to get off the mark in 24 balls.

India started off well with the bat despite being put in under difficult conditions.

Rohit (34) and Gill (28) put on 62 runs for the opening wicket before New Zealand fought back with late wickets in the morning session.
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16:51   Gill falls for 28; India 2 down

India 63-2 (25 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Change in the bowling as Southee comes back into the attack. Gill pushes the first ball on the off-side and offers no shot to the next before Southee slides the third down the leg side.

Another leave from Gill before he blocks out the last two balls.

Pujara at his watchful best as he defends Jamieson, looking to play it late.  He tries the bouncer but Pujara is able to easily duck under it before he is hit on the pads by the inswinger.

Another good incoming delivery as Pujara is beaten trying to block it out and he offers no shot to the last ball.

Neil Wagner comes into the attack, in the 25th over. He takes just three deliveries to strike as he gets the wicket of the well-set Gill, who is caught behind for 28.

The outswinger is slanted across Gill, who hangs his bat out only to get the edge to be caught behind by wicketkeeper Watling.

Two wickets for one runs in the space of 26 deliveries as New Zealand make a good comeback.
16:33   Rohit out for 34; India lose 1st wkt

India 62-1 (21 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Jamieson makes the first breakthrough for New Zealand after a long wait of nearly 21 overs.

Rohit looks to drive a full wide delivery which moves away as he gets the edge and is caught by Southee in the slips.

Rohit walks back for 34 after putting on 62 runs for the opening wicket with Gill to lay a solid foundation for the Indians after they were put into bat.

Southee takes a good low catch at second slip, diving to his right as New Zealand finally make a breakthrough.

'Yet another fantastic catch in the slips for New Zealand. Since the start of 2019, they've caught 91% of their chances in the slips - no side has caught more. Outstanding from Tim Southee,' tweets The CricViz Analyst @cricvizanalyst.

India's No 3 Cheteshwar Pujara starts off cautiously as he plays out the rest of the over. The last ball is on the pads as Pujara misses the glance and is struck on the thigh pads.
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16:27   Rohit, Gill take India past 50

India 62-0 (20 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Some extra bounce for Jamieson as Gill is beaten trying to fend it down before he is hit on the pads looking to flick a full delivery.

Sharp inswing for Jamieson as Gill offers no shot having covered his stumps.

He takes a couple of steps down the track but is struck on the helmet by the extra bounce from Jamieson which jags back shraply.

In the next over, Rohit slaps de Grandhomme in some style through the covers for a four to take India past the 50-run mark, in the 18th over.

De Grandhomme has a huge shout for leg before wicket turned down against Rohit before Williamson takes the review.

The impact looks in line but Rohit has got a huge inside edge which saves him as Kiwis lose their first review.

Jamieson overpitches as Gill drives it down the ground past mid-on for two runs. After getting hit on his helmet, Gill waiting on the backfoot against Jamieson instead of his earlier ploy of taking a step or two down.

Jamieson goes short but Gill confidently blocks him out as India's opener continue to build the total.

In the next over, Rohit plays another cracking backfoot punch off de Grandhomme for a four.

The man is pushed back on the off-side as Rohit gets just a single this time to sweeper cover.

Gill clips the last ball off his pads for a couple to take the total to 62 for no loss in 20 overs.

Gill has batted confidently to hit a fluent 27, while Rohit has eased his way to 34.
16:09   Rohit, Gill give India a good start

India 49-0 (16 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Change in the bowling as medium pacer Colin de Grandhomme comes into the attack.

Rohit leaves the first ball before he taps the next on the off-side and then easily plays out the rest of the over.

The first hour has gone India's way as they reach 41 for no loss in 14 overs at the drinks break.

The Kiwi pacers failed to make most of the new ball, bowling too full at times and also struggled with their lines as they pitched either too wide or too straight on the stumps.

Jamieson tries the short ball to Gill, who is quickly on the backfoot to pull it through midwicket for another handsome boundary.

De Grandhomme continues as he beats Rohit with the outswinger, who plays a loose shot.

Swing for de Grandhomme as Rohit watchfully defends it on the off-side before he smashes a short wide delivery through the covers for a four.
15:57   Rohit, Gill give India a good start

India 41-0 (13 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

First bowling change for New Zealand as the tall Kyle Jamieson replaces Southee.

The second ball swings in sharply but is pitched right up as Gill drives it back with a straight back for a lovely boundary.

The next ball is shaped away as Gill offers no stroke and does the same with the rest of the over.

No change at the other end as Boult continues. Slight inward movement as Rohit inside edges the first ball on the to the pads before he leaves the next.

Boult continues to slant the ball across the right-hander who is able to easily play out the rest of the over with ease.

Gill continues to use his feet against the pacers, taking a couple of steps down. Jamieson looking to get the ball in the channel just outside the off-stump as Gill is happy to leave the first three deliveries.

Jamieson comes closer to the stumps as Gill blocks it on the off-side before he comes down and blocks the last ball with caution.

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15:44   Rohit, Gill give India a good start

India 37-0 (10 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Gill plays a brilliant straight drive off a full delivery from Boult for three runs down the ground.

The two openers have quite positive with their running between the wickets, looking to steal an extra run wherever possible.

Boult hasn't found his rhythm yet as he bowls a full delivery on the pads with Rohit missing the clip and he blocks out the last two balls.

The big positive for India has been that the two batsmen have made most of the loose deliveries on offer.

Southee overpitches in his attempt to look for swing as Gill drives it straight down the ground for three runs, with Kyle Jamieson putting in a timely dive just inside the ropes to save the boundary.

Some width from Southee as Rohit steers it past gully for a four. That was a risky shot but Rohit managed to control it nicely as he opened the face of the bat and got it into the gap.

Southee gets it right next ball, as Rohit plays a loose drive away from his body and is beaten before he plays out the last ball.

Some swing into the right-hander for Boult but Gill is able to glance it to fine leg for one.

Boult bowling too straight as Rohit is able to tap it easily on the leg side before he has a close shave last ball. He looks to drive a full delivery as he gets the inside edge on to the pads.

India off to a great start, reaching 37 for no loss in 10 overs with Rohit on 21 and Gill on 15.
15:30   Rohit, Gill give India a good start

India 26-0 (7 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Gill continues to use his feet against the pacers to negate the swing as he takes a couple of steps down and defends Boult on the off-side.

Boult goes short and Gill, who is waiting on the backfoot, pulls it convincingly through midwicket for the first four of the WTC final.

Another short ball but this time quicker as Gill goes back and defends it back to the bowler.

Boult looks for the inswinger but slips it down the leg side with the keeper having to put in the dive.

In the next over, Rohit makes most of some width as he cuts Southee past point for his first boundary.

A few balls later, Rohit gets a streaky boundary as he gets a thick outside edge off a full delivery from Southee which goes along the ground past the slips for another four.

Southee gets his length right, as the ball bounces and moves away to beat the defensive poke from Rohit.

Another full delivery on the stumps as Rohit clips it to fine leg and comes back for the second run.

This is a positive start from India as they reach 26 for no loss in seven overs.
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15:22   India off to cautious start vs NZ

India 12-0 (5 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Some sharp inswing for Southee as Gill is beaten and struck on the pads but the ball is slipping down the leg side as the openers pick up a leg bye.

Southee goes wide as Rohit offers no shot to the next two deliveries before he defends the fourth ball on the off-side.

He drives the last ball through the covers for a couple of runs.

In the next over, Gill offers no shot against Boult as the ball comes in slightly and he defends the next on the off-side.

Gill inside edges the third ball trying to drive it as it goes to fine leg for a single to get him off the mark.

Rohit then offers no shot to the fourth delivery slanted across him and blocks out the last two balls.

Southee continues as Gill takes a couple of steps down before clipping it through square leg for three runs.

Southee produces a beauty to beat Rohit as the outswinger draws the right-hander into the drive before moving away enough to go past the edge.

Rohit sensibly leaves the next ball which is pitched wide before he gets an inside edge off the last ball which saves him from a possible leg before shout.
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15:09   NZ elect to bowl; include 4 pacers

India 5-0 (2 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Rohit Sharma walks out to open with Shubman Gill, while the experienced Tim Southee will open the bowling for the Kiwis.

He looks for swing but the line is too straight as the full delivery on the pads is clipped through square leg by Rohit for three runs to get India off the mark.

The next ball is again down the leg side as Gill watches it go through to the keeper before the next ball which is pitched wide is left alone.

Another leg side followed by a wide delivery as Gill offers no shot. The last ball is full and on the stumps as Gill blocks it with utmost caution.

Left-arm pacer Trent Boult from the other end. The first ball rises sharply but is down the leg side as Rohit looks to glance but misses and wicketkeeper BJ Watling dives to his left to collect it.

The next ball is on the stumps as Rohit blocks before he gets an inside edge on the next. Gill has a close shave as he looks for the quick single but is sent back and manages to make his crease with a desperate dive.

Overpitched delivery from Boult as Rohit drives it straight down the ground through the vacant mid-off region for two runs.
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14:48   3 pacers and 2 spinners for India

The Indian opening duo of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will have their task cut against New Zealand's four-man pace attack in overcast conditions at the Ageas Bowl.

Rohit has played just one Test in England, and that too in the middle order, while the young Gill will be playing his first Test in the country.

India's top order will need to see off the new ball and ensure that they don't lose too many early wickets as they are a batsman light, going in with five bowlers -- three pacers and two spinners.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:

India:
Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (w/k), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (w/k), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.
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14:40   NZ elect to bowl; include 4 pacers

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and elected to bowl against India in the WTC final in Southampton.

New Zealand have gone in with a four-man pace attack including Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee.

The Kiwis have not included a spinner as Ajaz Patel is left out with medium pace all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme getting the nod.

On the other hand, India are going in with two spinners in their playing XI in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

They have included three pacers in Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
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14:28   'The seamers will be dominant than the spinners'

Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar expects the seamers to be a handful on the surface, which means the team winning the toss could elect to bowl.

"The curator has shaved some grass but there is still a fair amount of grass on the surface which means the ball will certainly seam off the surface and also there is the overhead conditions which will help the ball swing," said Gavaskar in his pitch report for Star Sports.

"The seamers will be dominant than the spinners but if the sun comes out the spinners could come into play on Day 3 and 4."

"Try and leave as many deliveries as possible in the first half an hour. Try to take the quick single and get to the non-striker's end."
14:24   Play set to begin on time on Day 2

Welcome to the coverage of the ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand in Southampton, on Saturday.

The opening day was abandoned because of rain but play is expected to begin on time on Day 2 with the weather clearing up.

Its a little bit cloudy at the Ageas Bowl but play will start on time.

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