Ind vs NZ: India Start Well

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AHMEDABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The first test between India and New Zealand is underway and it looks like New Zealand’s hope of making a great comeback after the Bangladesh disaster is a long way off. Standing between the Kiwis and their hope for a return to form is Virender Sehwag. Getting off to a solid start courtesy the Delhi Daredevils, the Indians looked set to impose themselves in the first session of the day. Gautam Gambhir hit a couple of graceful fours before falling victim to the cheeky medium pace of Jesse Ryder and that was all that the New Zealand side in the first session. At lunch, India are sitting comfortable at 127/1 with Virender Sehwag looking at another trailblazing century in the second session.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, MS Dhoni’s men got the start that they wanted. Scoring at more than 5 runs an over in the first 12 overs, the Indian openers looked set to make another humongous partnership. Jesse Ryder, however, caused a rather abrupt end to the partnership when his back of a length delivery nipped back enough to get an inside edge into the furniture of Gautam Gambhir. New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori put slight pressure on the Indian batsmen with his crafty bowling and suffocating consistency, but has failed to make any breakthroughs in the session before lunch.

The test against India is a crucial one for New Zealand as it is their only chance of redeeming their pride before the World Cup in 2011. The series became even more anticipated after the Kiwis received a brutal 4-0 defeat against Bangladesh. India, on the other hand are in great momentum after their 2-0 win over the Australians last month.