NZ XI v IND 2020: Vihari, Pujara shine even as rest of Indian batting collapse on Day 1 of warm-up game 

Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari played resolute knocks but India got all out for just 263.

Pujara and Vihari batted really well but the rest of the batting unit collapsed | GettyIndia built up towards the first Test in Wellington with a disappointing display on Day 1 of the ongoing three-day warm-up encounter against New Zealand XI at the Seddon Park in Hamilton this Friday (February 14). 

The visitors, opting to bat first after winning the toss, suffered an alarming collapse either side of a 195-run terrific fifth-wicket stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari. While Pujara (92) missed out on a well-deserved ton by just eight runs, Vihari (101) retired soon after reaching the hundred-run milestone following a 182-ball stay. 

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This, after openers Prithvi Shaw (0), Mayank Aggarwal (1) and middle-order batsmen Shubman Gill (0) and Ajinkya Rahane (18) came and went in no time to leave India reeling at 38/4. 

Pujara and Vihari's wonderful resurrection act, though, still went in vain as the rest of the batting line-up fell like a pack of cards. 

Virat Kohli, the skipper, decided not to bat. 

India finished with a disappointing 263 all out after batting only 78.5 overs on the day. 

Scott Kuggeleijn's (3/40) first spell did the bulk of the damage and he was ably supported by Jake Gibson (2/26) and Ish Sodhi (3/72) for the hosts. 

Brief scores: 

India 263/10 in 78.5 overs (Hanuma Vihari 101*, Cheteshwar Pujara 92; Scott Kuggeleijn 3/40, Ish Sodhi 3/72) versus New Zealand XI until stumps on Day 1 

 
 

By Kashish Chadha - 14 Feb, 2020

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