Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets as New Zealand reached 92-2 at lunch on the first day of the second cricket test against India on Thursday.
Ashwin took 2-33 in 12 overs to put the brakes on New Zealand’s scoring after it had won the toss and opted to bat. Devon Conway was unbeaten on 47 runs, with Rachin Ravindra (5 not out) also at the crease.
New Zealand made a good start with Conway and Tom Latham putting on 32 off 48 balls for the first wicket. Conway also put on 44 off 97 balls for the second wicket with Will Young, who scored 18 runs.
India trails the three-match series 1-0 after New Zealand beat the home side by eight wickets in the first test. It was New Zealand's first test win in India since 1988.
India made three changes — Lokesh Rahul has been left out, while fit-again Shubman Gill returns to the playing side. In-form Sarfaraz Khan, who scored 150 runs in the second innings at Bengaluru in the first test, keeps his spot.
India’s wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was hit on the knee during the first test, was fit again and took the gloves for the second test.
Williamson's comeback to the Black Caps from a groin problem has been delayed after he missed the historic first Test win over India in Bengaluru.
Cricket
Tue, Oct 22
Tom Latham says the pitch should provide some spin but he's confident his side will adapt
Cricket
5:08pm
Rachin Ravindra scored 134 and and unbeaten 39 to help the Black Caps to their first Test victory in India since 1988.
Cricket
11:41am
1:53
For New Zealand, Kane Williamson continued to miss action as he has not recovered from a groin injury sustained in Sri Lanka. The visitors made one change from the first test — pacer Matt Henry misses out due to an injury, with left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner coming into the playing XI.
India has been down 1-0 down in a home test series several times — against Australia in 2017 and against England in 2021 and 2024. All three times, they came back to win the series, but those involved four-test series, not three.
