Pujara’s ton keeps India in the game

- India won the toss and elected to bat
- Raina playing ahead of Rahane
- At lunch: India 97-2 after 25 overs
- Tea: India 182-3 after 54 overs
- Stumps: India 307-5 after 87 overs

India 307-5 after 87 overs
Pujara 119, Dhoni 29

It’s stumps. Pretty even day for India and it could have been much worse, if New Zealand had held on to their chances and the umpires had given them the benefit of doubt. India aren’t out of the woods yet — they will need at least 400 on this wicket. Don’t expect Ojha and Ashwin to run through the NZ side. Pujara was good but the rest of the batsmen — except Tendulkar, who was well beaten, were guilty of giving their wickets away. India will need to do better tomorrow.

India 299-5 after 85 overs
Pujara 117, Dhoni 23

Pujara lucky to still be there. Ball flicked glove on the way to the keeper but the umpire turned down the appeal. Snicko showed he was out. DRS really would make the game better.

India 294-5 after 83 overs
Pujara 114, Dhoni 22

The new ball has been taken and Dhoni has treated in with respect. Both batsmen are not playing for time — seven overs to the end of play.

India 285-5 after 78 overs
Pujara 106, Dhoni 21

Dhoni’s intentions are pretty clear. He’s come out and hit fours and sixes and used every opportunity to be aggressive. Pretty good stuff but there is a danger of getting too aggressive. For instance, he tried the reverse sweep and almost played the ball back onto his stumps. He was lucky to survive. If Dhoni falls, then anything can happen.

Play your own game

India needs a partnership here — a pretty decent one. A total of at least 400 is a must. Raina’s dismissal was pretty sad. He was trying to keep things tight and not play too many shots but that isn’t his real game. When Dhoni tries to do that — he also struggles. Perhaps the best way to go about things is to play your natural game but just get your shot selection right.

Suresh Raina in Test cricket: First 4 innings: 309 runs (avg 103.00). Next 23 innings: 404 runs (avg 18.36) #IndvNZ

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) अगस्त 23, 2012

India 260-5 after 72.4 overs
SK Raina c †van Wyk b Patel 3 (13b)

Raina gone, edges one that was going down the legs. Faint edge but the left-hander is walking back after scoring 3. How long will the Indian team management continue to keep faith in him?

India 260-4 after 72 overs
Pujara 10, Raina 3

It’s time once again to build a partnership. Pujara doesn’t need to change the way he is batting but Raina will be getting pretty tempted to go for the big shots. Can he keep it together?

India 255-4 after 69.3 overs
C Pujara batting 100 (169b, 14×4, 1×6)

What a superb innings! Before the match, Pujara called this match his second debut but he has batted with a calm that belies his inexperience. It’s always nice to see a young player step up and make his mark. Now to get a ‘Big Daddy’ hundred. Pujara raced from 50-100 in just 50 balls.

India 250-4 after 68.1 overs
V Kohli c Guptill b Martin 58 (107b, 8×4)

Kohli gone. Played away from the body, edged it to slips. He made 58. Good innings but bad shot to get out. It was a gift really. India probably think it’s Diwali or something — with the exception of Tendulkar, the other batsmen have been guilty of playing some pretty shots.

India 243-3 after 65 overs
Pujara 95, Kohli 52

Pujara has just pulled away. The Kiwis are tiring and Pujara is taking full advantage of the loose balls. Superb batting. Honestly, we haven’t missed Dravid, Laxman today.

Hitting the big ones

First six of the Indian innings courtesy Pujara. It was a long-hop from Williamson and it got the treatment. The partnership is already worth 107 runs in 27.0 overs. Pujara and Kohli have both contributed 52 to the partnership.

India 218-3 after 60 overs
Pujara 60, Kohli 51

New Zealand’s attack is looking pretty rubbish and it doesn’t help if the skipper Ross Taylor keeps handing lives to the Indian batsmen. He has dropped Sehwag early in the day and now gave another chance to Virat Kohli. The ball went through for a four and Kohli got his fifty. Really bad slip fielding — he was going the other way and was on his heels.

India 193-3 after 55.3 overs
Pujara 60, Kohli 37

Doug Bracewell has gone off the field. He fell down after his delivery stride but didn’t get up. Looked to have a right hamstring pull — but he wasn’t exactly screaming in pain.

India 182-3 after 54 overs
Pujara 54, Kohli 32

Decent session for India — they lost Tendulkar early but then fought back well through Pujara and Kohli to wrest back the initiative. New Zealand have toiled manfully for little reward, they will hope to get at least a couple more wickets before the day is through. The pitch is expected to start turning from day two… so it will only get tougher for New Zealand.

Pujara scored 72 on his Test debut against Australia at Bangalore in 2010, but he looks good to top that this time round.

India 175-3 after 52 overs
Pujara 53, Kohli 26

And that’s the fifty. Nice four to bring up his second Test fifty. He worked really hard for it and hasn’t put a foot wrong. The shot also brought up the 50-run partnership for the fourth wicket. It is the highest partnership of the innings so far.

India 169-3 after 50 overs
Pujara 49, Kohli 24

Pujara is just one run away from his second Test fifty. It’s been pretty smooth going for him. Kohli looking settled as well. The New Zealand bowlers have stuck to their task but they just don’t have enough class — missing Vettori desperately.

India 157-3 after 45 overs
Pujara 43, Kohli 18

Pujara is growing in confidence and hitting a few shots now. Kohli has looked in any trouble either — there was this one edge that went through the third slip area but that’s about it. Really good stuff so far — steady and in control.

India 136-3 after 40 overs
Pujara 34, Kohli 7

New Zealand have been superb in the post-lunch session so far. They have kept the runs to a minimum and even managed to get the wicket of Tendulkar. It will be interesting to see how the young batsmen deal with this kind of pressure.

A look at the future

In the past, we never had a chance of seeing the two young batsmen bat together in Test cricket — at least not regularly enough. With all the seniors now out or sitting at home, this is what India’s cricketing future lookis like. Pujara has looked superb — very patient and in control and Virat Kohli is all confidence — the runs he has scored recently are obviously helping.

WICKET! India 125-3 after 34.5 overs
SR Tendulkar b Boult 19 (62b, 2×4)

That’s it. Sachin Tendulkar gone and it was Boult who got him. The ball hit the top of middle stump but expect to see a lot of picture of Sachin crouching at the crease. We’ve seen it before haven’t we. This almost seems to be becoming his favourite mode of dismissal. All the ‘seniors’ are back in the hut. Virat Kohli is in next.

Crouching Sachin Hidden Dragon #indvnz

— Kanishkaa B (@kanishkaab) अगस्त 23, 2012

India U19 are through to the final

India under-19 have beaten New Zealand under-19 in the semi-finals of the World Cup. They beat New Zealand by 9 runs. NZ ended up on 200-9. They will take on Australia in the final on 26 August.

Read the full report here.

Almost through

Another wicket for the India U19s. NZ are 174 for 8 and this is over — they need 210 to win. India should win this easily.

India 109/2 after 29 overs
Pujara 23, Sachin 12

Pujara has moved on to 23 after lunch and has hit two boundaries in the process but Sachin is yet to add to his runs tally after the break.

India U19s get another wicket

The under-19 lads are almost home and dry. They have got the seventh New Zealand wicket — NZ are now 163-7 and in trouble. They require another 47 runs with 3 wickets and 27 balls remaining.

Ind vz NZ, first Test resumes after lunch

India have moved on to 103 for 2 after 27 overs. Pujara started proceedings with a superb four, just wide of point.

One chant for all sports

Jeetega bhai jeetega, India jeetega… NZ lose another wicket and are now 155-6. This is looking good for India. NZ need 55 off 40 balls.

It’s a thriller

But this is India’s match to lose. NZ U19s need 64 from 48… this is more fun than the Test match!

BCCI asks Sahara to pull ad

The BCCI has reportedly asked Sahara to pull off its latest advertisement for the Sahara Q Shop which features cricketers Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virender Sehwag and Virat Kohli.

The advertisement shows Tendulkar performing last rites, Yuvraj digging a grave for a child and Kohli putting a wheelchair for a man in an attempt to portray the ill effects that adulterated food from the market could have.

Read the full story here!

India U19s in charge

Just 10 overs to go, NZ U19s need 81 to win. Looks like a very difficult chance. If India make it to the final, their opponents will be Australia.

India U19 get another wicket

NZ U19s are five wickets down and the pressure will start getting to them. They are 119-5 and are struggling to hit the fours. Remember, this is under-19 cricket, they can’t hit the sixes and fours with as much ease as the senior cricketers.

NZ U19 and India U19 locked in tight battle

The Under-19 World Cup semi-final is turning out to be a fine match. At the moment, India have the edge. The Kiwis require another 92 runs with 6 wickets and 84 balls remaining.

Lunch: India 97-2 after 25 overs
Pujara 12, Tendulkar 12

And that’s lunch folks — Tendulkar ushered it in with his first four of the innings. India had a decent session — but New Zealand will be pretty happy as well. They have managed to send back India’s openers and another wicket or two, might put them in a very good position. There is not a lot in the pitch but the NZ bowlers have stuck to a plan. On the whole, a lot to play for in the post-lunch session.

India 93-2 after 24 overs
Pujara 12, Tendulkar 8

Pretty slow stuff. They are playing for lunch. Have never got why they do this though. If it’s a bad ball, give it the punishment it deserves. Sehwag may be out but he continues to play his shots — with him there is no respite.

NZ U19s fighting back

After losing four wickets quite quickly, NZ U19 have now moved on to 96-4 after 29 overs. They need 210 runs to win the match.

India 85-2 after 18 overs
Pujara 10, Tendulkar 2

After the manic start to the Test, things have slowed down a bit now. Expected. But no edges either. So good. The pitch has good bounce, the odd ball really come up high and the batsmen need to be careful though.

Need of the hour: a partnership

India need a partnership now. The experienced openers are back in the hut and another wicket — say that of Tendulkar — could spell serious trouble.

SRT walking to the middle, looking at the fielders and saying, ‘Hey dudes, I remember playing against your grandpops’.

— Sidvee (@sidvee) अगस्त 23, 2012

India 77-2 after 14.3 overs
V Sehwag c Guptill b Bracewell 47 (41b 9×4)

Sehwag gone. One shot too many but he never seemed in control in this innings. A lot of fours and quick runs but a lot of edges and chances as well. The ball that got him was coming back in a tad and Sehwag went for his shot, it was well caught by Guptill at second slip. Not the best of Sehwag. Tendulkar walks in next.

India 76-1 after 14 overs
Sehwag 47, Pujara 3

Wow. And this is after Sehwag had a slow start. He is absolutely going for it now. Nothing we’ve not seen before but it still manages to surprise and amaze in equal measure.

India U19s in charge

Meanwhile, in the under-19 World Cup, New Zealand Under-19s have lost their fourth wicket and are now 63/4. They are chasing 210 to win but India would be favourites now.

Sehwag playing a dangerous game

A nice upper cut for four followed by a classy drive for two and then opening the face and guiding the ball to wide third-man. And then Ross Taylor at first slip, just doesn’t go for the catch!! The ball went through the gap between first slip and the keeper. This should have been taken. Sehwag was on 35.

India U19s taking charge

Another wicket. New Zealand Under-19s are now 62/3. New Zealand Under-19s require another 148 runs with 7 wickets and 33 overs remaining.

Another wicket for India U19s

And New Zealand U19s lose another wicket. 55/2 (16 ov). They are chasing 210 to win against India U19s in W’Cup semis. This looks like a match that will go down to the wire.

India 49/1 after 10.0 overs
G Gambhir c †van Wyk b Boult 22 (36b, 4×4)

Gambhir falls, same old mode of dismissal — poking outside the off-stump, trying to run it down to third man. Why! Caught behind. Pujara is in next

Close shave for Sehwag
Gambhir 18, Sehwag 21

The New Zealand bowlers have been peppering Sehwag with the short stuff from the first over and they almost got their reward. A short ball from Chris Martin had Sehwag going for the pull shot but he just didn’t connect. Flynn running back at square leg gets his hands to it but couldn’t hold on. It was a tough, tough chance.

India 39-0 after 8 overs
Gambhir 18, Sehwag 21

This is already the best opening stand for India in 9 innings. The disaster in Australia was preceded by some difficult times in England as well. Remember? Meanwhile, Sehwag has starting hitting the fours.

India 29-0 after 7 overs
Gambhir 17, Sehwag 12

Two fours off consecutive balls from Sehwag — the first one was punched off the backfoot through point and then second one was gently through the region between the point and gully region. Good stuff.

Sehwag’s slow start

At the moment, all the scoring is being done by Gambhir. But one quite likes the way Sehwag is playing. He bides his time for the first hour or so and then there’s carnage. Can’t wait for that to begin.

Meanwhile in the U19 World Cup semi-final

New Zealand Under-19s have just lost their first wicket and are 30/1 after 10 overs. New Zealand Under-19s require another 180 runs with 9 wickets and 39.5 overs remaining. India, batting first, made 209-9.

Read the report of India’s innings here.

India 13-0 after 4 overs
Gambhir 11, Sehwag 2

This is a vital phase for India — last ball in the fourth over was edged through the slips by Gambhir. Not very convincing. India needs the openers to get off to a quick start. The first time India went without Dravid and VVS was in the 2010 Nagpur Test against South Africa. Both were injured. This time, they are both retired. The other seniors need to show how good they are.

The match begins

Gambhir starts off with a four. Martin strayed on the legs and the left-hander, neatly turned it away to fine leg. Sehwag is looking pretty fit as well. Big series for both the openers — time to find their mojo again.

Sachin is enough

For all you Tendulkar fans, a wonderful stat: Sachin Tendulkar has scored more runs, 100s & 50s than entire New Zealand squad put together!

Ganguly as selector please!

You listen to Ganguly talk and one can’t help but feel that he needs to be the selection committee at least. He felt that Rahane should’ve made the playing XI but then reckoned that Raina would get the nod instead. He was spot on. But we need selectors who go with their gut instinct. Not just numbers.

On the other hand, this might be Raina’s last chance to seal a spot in the Test team. He’s already played 15 chances and it’s about time that the others start getting chances instead.

Toss

Dhoni wins the toss for a change and without a second thought, elects to bat. No Rahane in the squad, which means that Suresh Raina will play. The Mumbai batsman is unlucky to miss out. Piyush Chawla, S Badrinath and Ishant Sharma are also not playing. According to the team sheet, it looks like Virat Kohli will bat at number three.

India v New Zealand in Tests: Mts-50,Ind-16,NZ-9,Drawn-25. Tests on Indian soil- Ind-11, NZ-2,Drawn-16 #IndvNZ

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) अगस्त 23, 2012

Preview

A reality check awaits the Indian cricket team as it gears up to begin life without the famed batting duo of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman when they take on a lowly New Zealand in the first Test of the two-match series here tomorrow.

Sachin Tendulkar is the only player left of the ‘Fabulous Five’ brigade after Sourav Ganguly, followed by Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, and most recently, VVS Laxman bid adieu to international cricket.

Now the challenge for India is to overcome the transition phase in the upcoming home season, in which the team would play 10 Tests, 13 ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals, apart from the ICC World T20 in Sri Lanka in September.

Read the full preview here.

The pitch

The Hyderabad curator has already promised that the pitch should take turn from day 2, so expect the team that wins the toss to bat first. It looks pretty dry with a lot of dry patches so expect that to come into play as the match wears on.

Our playing XI for the first Test: Ajinkya Rahane, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav.