The first day of the second and final Test between India and New Zealand began with the first session being called off due to a wet outfield at the Wankhede Stadium thanks to rains in Mumbai.
Virat Kohli then won the toss and chose to bat first. India made three changes as Kohli came in for Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammed Siraj replacing Ishant Sharma and Jayant Yadav coming in for Ravindra Jadeja as all three of the aforementioned players were battling injuries.
For New Zealand, Daryl Mitchell came in for Kane Williamson, whose left elbow flared up and Tom Latham took up the captaincy.
India got a good opening stand of 80 as Shubman Gill made 44, while Mayank Agarwal looked focused on getting a big one. However, Ajaz Patel single-handedly turned things around when he got rid of Gill and then in his next over, removed both Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli for ducks leaving India 80/3.
Then Agarwal took the aggressor role and with Shreyas Iyer (18), added 80 runs for the 4th wicket while working towards his century. Ajaz Patel (4/73) then struck again, removing Iyer with India reeling at 160/4.
In walked the experienced Wriddhiman Saha and he steadied the ship with his tight defense, while Agarwal took the on the spinners as he raced to his fourth Test century in 196 balls. He finished the first day on 120* in 246 balls with 14 fours and 4 sixes.
Saha remained unbeaten on 25 with 3 fours and 1 six, with stumps being called with India at 221/4.
The cricket fraternity was all praised for Mayank Agarwal on social media as he stood the test of New Zealand spinners and made the most of the opportunity he got in Mumbai with a century.
Here are some tweets:
