Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - Gill fifty gives India momentum in first session. Shubman Gill registered his fourth Test fifty
Shubman Gill registered his fourth Test fifty
Shubman Gill's brisk half-century put India in a strong position after they opted to bat on the first day of the opening Test at Kanpur.
Both teams went in with three spinners on a pitch that bore a dry look, with cracks. But it was New Zealand's pacers that called the shots early on a hazy morning. Both Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson found just about enough movement to trouble the batters.
Southee, in fact, had Gill adjudged LBW in just the third over but the decision was overturned on review because of a clear inside edge. Jamieson got the ball to move away and past the bat a few times before he had Mayank Agarwal nicking behind on 13. His opening spell of 1-12 in six overs kept India in check during the first hour of play.
However, with the spinners getting introduced, India found the going a little easier despite there being some turn on offer straightaway. Gill lofted and cut Ajaz Patel for boundaries as he injected some momentum into the innings. With Cheteshwar Pujara, lending a solid hand, India made steady progress as the duo put on an unbeaten 61-run stand. Gill had a slice of luck early when New Zealand failed to appeal or review an LBW possibility which could have seen the end of him on just six. Instead, he remained unbeaten on 52 at Lunch.
Brief scores: India 82/1 (Shubman Gill 52*; Jamieson 1-12) vs New Zealand.
