India struggle as Henry leads Nz on Day 1 of Second test

India’s vaunted batting line-up failed to recover from the early blows dealt by New Zealand’s concerted bowling effort and wobbled to 239 for 7 on the opening day of the second cricket Test here on Friday.

Barring Cheteshwar Pujara (87) and Ajinkya Rahane (77), none of the batsmen came good after skipper Virat Kohli opted to bat on the relaid pitch of the historic Eden Gardens stadium, hosting India’s 250th home Test. Ravindra Jadeja (0) and Wriddhiman Saha (14) were holding fort for the home side when stumps were drawn at the end of the 87th over due to bad light.

The Kiwis, who were dealt a blow this morning when regular skipper and top batsman Kane Williamson was ruled out of match owing to illness, showed tremendous resilience to put up a fine first day show.

Medium-pacer Matt Henry was the Black Caps top wicket-taker with a haul of 3/35 in his miserly 15 overs, while off-spinner Jeetan Patel, brought into the side due to the injury-forced exit of Mark Craig, chipped in with two wickets.

India, who will regain the top spot in ICC rankings if they seal the three-match series in this match, did not make a very good start and lost their top-three batsmen even before the score had touched 50. Pujara and Rahane’s dogged fourth-wicket stand of 141 was the high point for India.

For the in-form Pujara, it was his third half-century from as many innings but a lapse in concentration ended his patient innings for 87 that came off 219 deliveries and was studded with 17 hits to the fence.

From being 46/3 in a jittery first session, Pujara and Rahane batted with grit and determination under the blazing afternoon heat and energy-sapping humidity.

The duo’s stand spanned three hours and nine minutes but the Kiwis made an impact in the final session snapping four wickets. Pujara was set up brilliantly by left-arm pacer Neil Wagner, who put a short cover for him, and the Indian holed out to Martin Guptill.