New Zealand vs India, 1st Test, India tour of New Zealand, 2020 - CommentaryNZ vs IND, 1st Test, India tour of New Zealand, 2020 - Commentary

Harsha Bhogle: Three middle order batsmen scored 22,21,22 and the players who got runs, Agarwal and Rahane, didn't get enough. And Ashwin the batsman needs to reappear. Have an extra day to regroup but these are good players and you have to back them to deliver.

Harsha Bhogle: Comprehensively outplayed. Were in New Zealand long enough to get attuned. Yes, Kohli and Bumrah aren't in their best form but the openers need to set the game and that didn't happen. New Zealand were just the better side!

Kailash Bhatia: "The total added by the last 5 wickets in both the Indian innings is less than that added by the last 3 NZ wickets in the 1st innings."

Harsha Bhogle: That was quick from New Zealand. And very disappointing from India. It was always going to be very tough but this was a pack of cards. Just 47 in 17 overs. The disappointing away run continues!

Vishnu: "Everyone is picking reasons for poor batting and lack of intent etc. But how crucial was the toss? Had NZ batted first, things would have been a lot different."

Rishi: "India's middle order was too defensive, they all played 30-40 balls but never got going because of extra defensive mindset, and eventually lost their wickets and the game!"

Kushagra Sathe: "@Stewart, I agree Team India has played a lot of cricket but apart from Kohli and Shami, everyone else in this playing XI is a fresh player and have got proper rest!"

Stewart: "Said it yesterday, these guys are playing way too much cricket. Toured out, tired, go home and go fishing, read a book, do some gardening, anything but cricket."

Abhishek: "NZ always had the advantage of an extra pacer in their squad. Their 5th bowler CDG bowled really well, which makes the job easy for Boult, Southee and Jamieson."

Subhanshu: "Kohli most certainly shines when the opposition mocks him. What NZ has done on this tour is very smart. Befriended him and managed to keep him quiet since the ODIs. Other teams may just want to take a leaf out from NZ's book!"

Mayank: "Chill guys, similar sort of comments were made on NZ's performance against Australia. It's not easy to win abroad, plus every team can have a one really bad game. Remember India had lost to Aus in a home Test at Pune, and went on to win the series."

Tanuj: "The biggest difference between the two sides lies in the intensity. India's fast bowlers looked tired. Ishant and even Bumrah in a few spells were bowling in higher 120ks. NZ on the other hands have not lifted their foot from the pedal even once.

Shyam: "Everyone compares Kohli's team with Ganguly's team. I think where this team lacks is saving Test matches in such critical matches outside India."

Anshul: "As a fan it really breaks my heart to see Indian players go down without a fight. Losing is okay, but to show no fight is what disheartens a fan."

Ajay: "How long are we going to say that India's poor technique of playing swinging ball as the primary reason for not being to able to win tests in SENA countries? The only reason India won the series in Australia was because pitches in Australia have more bounce than swing."

Ronit: "The reactive approach of Virat Kohli is hurting team India in the first match of every series and also the knockout games of ICC tournaments. They need to be more proactive and work on individual plans for every opposition player."

Kushan: "New Zealand batsmen were quite successful off the back foot scoring a lot of runs but India have been playing outside the crease and on the front foot. The Indian batsmen could have taken a cue from New Zealand's batting approach and maybe adjusted their technique for this pitch."

Souvik: "Me being Ravi Shastri would have asked Pant to go for a T20 show now."

Yagyansh: "Very very crucial first hour today, both for the match and for the series. These two should not worry at all about runs for 40-50 minutes. Just get your eye in, adjust to the conditions properly and then worry about scoring."

Alok: "Both Rahane and Vihari should bat positively rather than dropping anchor."

Ankit Choudhary: KL Rahul should have opened the innings along with Mayank Agarwal, keeping in mind his recent form and that he's arguably more technically sound than Prithvi Shaw. 'But he isn't part of the Test squad'

Aldin: Need every ounce of experience from the vice-captain if India are to at least draw this. Vihari must support from the other end.

Harsha Bhogle: Without grabbing the headlines, de Grandhomme is playing an important role for NZ. Bowling his overs economically and keeping a fast bowler fresh all the time.

Sai: I don't think it's all over for India in this test match. These two (Jinx and Vihari) are looking good and Pant also looked good in first innings (but unfortunately got run-out). A couple of centuries among these three would spice things up

Cricket Lover: One bad test match for Indian team and all are projecting them as a technically weak team. You do have to remember that this test match is the first one out of India after a long while and foreign teams find it harder to adjust than the home teams.

Pratik: @Tanay-Agree with you, to be fair even in SA and Eng, it was Kohli who got us close to winning as far as batting is concerned! Alas he had no support unlike in Australia, where every other batsmen also made decent contributions. His drop in form has been a real eye opener for team

Ravikiran: No doubt Kohli is a world class player but has the captaincy across all the formats taken a toll on him? Jinx is an option for the Tests just not to over burden King Kohli. 'Perhaps overreaction to what could still be a sudden bad patch?'

Aman: @Tanay you are kind of right. We should also remember we lost in Perth. MCG & SCG pitches were slow which suited our batsmen. Now their techniques are getting exposed.

Tanay: Barring the series in Australia, India's batting has been pretty ordinary in the SENA countries. Too much emphasis on bowling and the same old errors of poor judgement of the swinging ball hasn't helped the Indian batsmen.

Yagyansh: Ah! Puji's and Agarwal's wicket has again put NZ in the drivers seat. The only chance now is if the captain as well as his deputy both put up Daddy hundreds. Fingers crossed.

Teja: Two centuries from these both and I think we are done!

Harsha Bhogle: New Zealand might have seized the advantage with the way the tail wagged. But so far, India's batsmen, in their own style, are clawing back. Only inches so far but progress nonetheless.

Kevin Menezes: New Zealand might miss Neil Wagner through the middle overs. Although he has a lot of wickets with the short ball, Wagner smartly manages to occasionally sneak in the full ball or the slower ball.

Rohit: India is starting to form a solid partnership that NZ has to break to continue staying ahead in the game.

Vicious Vishy: It's strange that India with so much of batting riches could only find someone like Shaw who has so many technical flaws in his batting, to open the batting.

Vicious Vishy: This is exactly the reason why Ashwin gets dropped time and again, he can't stop run scoring when he can't pick up wickets. Jadeja is a 3D player who should be in all formats at all times.

Abhishek: Indian team missing their fifth bowler here.

Asrani: Jamieson is looking a decent bat. Covering the stumps, using his height as an advantage. Also has 3 50s at first-class level.

Umang: Is the pitch still good for bowlers? Or has it flattened out? There is still a bit for the bowlers, but it's gradually getting better to bat on'

Aditya Saha: Ishant Sharma deserves a five wicket-haul today.

Sunil: And finally Bumrah delivered !!! What a way to start the Sunday morning !

Chris: Ashwin has only struggled in Aus and played 6 Tests there. I am no fan of him. but fed up of him getting bashed when he hasn't played enough away. This is his 1st test in NZ.

Abinash Das: Have to appreciate Ashwin as he is relentlessly bowling tight spells but has no wickets to show for his effort. He is doing his part in keeping things tight at one end and he will definitely have his part to play in the fourth Innings. Remember India vs Aus 1st Test down under?

Mohit Raj: Ashwin with all his average outside Asia just looks like a part-timer. India could have played Jadeja as he does same thing but with better batting and fielding. 'You can't expect your spinner to run through teams on a second-day wicket that's not offering a lot'

Bhanu: What I love about Jaddu is, he is omnipresent. It's been years watching cricket & have almost seen him in the scorecard column contributing in every ways. Can't keep him out of action.

Nitin: If India manage to stop NZ less than 100 runs lead, then they have a chance to get back in the match. But don't forget lots of things to do for the Indian batsmen.

Prashant: What has happened to Bumrah?? He seemed to have mastered the art of swing bowling in the Caribbean last year. Ishant, Southee and Boult managed to get lovely shape into and away from the batsmen. Today seems to be a windy day as well. We haven't seen any appreciable swing from Bumrah at all. 'He's coming back from an injury, needs time to get back to his groove'

Pratyush: I've never seen any team playing so good against this current Indian bowling attack than New Zealand. 'No scoreboard pressure and that helps'

Harsha Bhogle: Look how home advantage works. In NZ conditions, you can play de Grandhomme at 7 and he gives you runs and valuable overs. Even wickets. Not much use here where the balance flounders while India can play Jadeja, Saha and Ashwin at 6,7,8 and voila, the balance appears.

Harsha Bhogle: India conceding too many runs off the back foot. Williamson and Taylor playing this perfectly for now.

Shivansh: "Looks like Taylor is trying too hard to impress someone by his shots in the crowd. His family and friends who are here in for his 100th Test."

Rao: "Frustrating time for captain - packs 7 specialist batsmen in the team and still gets bundled out for 165." - And the lack of luck for the bowlers.

Harsha Bhogle: Southee to Shaw, Southee to Ashwin, Jamieson to Pujara, three deliveries to remember. Ishant to Blundell almost in that league

Jatinder singh: Nobody plays Bumrah better than Kane Williamson.

Adithya: It is almost as if the home team can control their conditions. The clouds are gone, the sun is out, the winds have eased up a bit and it looks like a much better day to bat on.

Chris: NZ were bowled out cheaply in the 1st innings last year against SL a year ago as well, but still got a lead in the 2nd test, something to be noted.

Shounak: I don't know why exactly, but I feel like this Indian team is not playing with the intensity that they should be playing if they want to win this series. Just because there isn't a boisterous crowd cheering for the opposition doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

Konsham Mamo: As there was rain on 1st day, I Was expecting 30 minutes early start. Or has the rule been changed? 'Play will be extended in the second and final sessions to make up for some of the lost time'

Jayant sr: "It's a thriller weekend for a cricket lover. First the IND vs NZ following them AUSW vs INDW and finally at night SA vs AUS." - This one's been rained out, and it's likely to rain at the Wanderers too, so do pray for the T20 World Cup!

Harsha Bhogle: Another session to New Zealand. But the first innings of a Test match there is about hanging in and squeezing out runs. Rahane, Pant and Ashwin need to get India to 250.

Jeff Hendo: Pant must play a responsible innings with the vice captain so India can re-consolidate. Funny that I am saying this from Wellington secondary college with the TV on with 1 million Kiwis over here cheering for the Kiwis except for me. If anyone sees me typing I will be decapitated. - Unless you're 6'8" like Jamieson, you probably will be.

Avijit: "Rahane is playing VVS Laxman's role in this era." - *Chandler GIF*

Akshay: "Golden opportunity for Pant to prove his worth and seal his place. Time to play a matured, patient innings with the vice Captain."

Winning Spirits: "I, too, have a doubt, if your feet touches the rope while you take a catch at the boundary its a six then why can't wicket keeper catch the ball with one hand and dislodge the bails with other hand/feet and its considered a run-out?" - The batsman, by design, is given the edge, because he only has to get out once. He's already disadvantaged. The bowlers and the fielders have countless opportunities, in a manner of speaking. The ball being far away from the stumps when the bail is dislodged could give birth to a new Mankading: the slip fielder just holds the keeper's right hand while holding the ball, as he removes the bail with his left.

James Alex: "I have this doubt going on: A batsman is considered out (bowled and run-out) only if the bails are dislodged. So how can the umpire conclude during LBW (review) that the bails will dislodge! We have seen a number of instances when the bails remain glued and the batsman is declared not-out!" - It's a would-have-been dismissal. Entirely speculative. It's not like if the ball was pitching outside leg, there was no way it could've hit the stumps. The rulebook exists for a reason! :D

Rohit K: "I love my night shift because when India travel to NZ or Australia, it's wonderful to watch the tough contest between bat and ball, especially when manager is not around." - Umm, likewise. Here's hoping my bosses aren't reading this.

Harsha Bhogle: Good to see Ashwin in the side. He is India's best spinner. And wonderful that Ishant is fit and good to go. He is a key component of this bowling attack with his ability to bowl a long spell.

Deepak Surana: Its seaming. Its swinging. On an early cold morning. Who do you want to bat? Not Pujara. Not Kohli. It's Rahane the crisis man. The best player in this current team on Green Tops.

Punith Reddy: Where is Neil Wagner? He was lethal against Aussies. 'Paternity break, became a proud father to a baby girl yesterday night. Will be back for Christchurch'

Sharath: CDG is drying up runs at the other end is one of the reason to bring quick wickets at the other end

Rohit: Jamieson - more disciplined than Boult or Southee... So rewarded.

Parthu: Jamieson looks dangerous. Also his height is an added advantage when he bowls short.

Rupesh Agrawal: Just the sense of calmness and assurance you feel with Pujara at the crease. Wonderful to watch.

Manoj: It's really disappointing that these two teams get to play only Two tests in the series. How can someone prove to be a better team in just two games. And even more so, how can we expect players to get better at Test cricket by making them play only few Tests now and then.

Sunil Sukumar: Isn't Ashwin a better test batsman than Jaddu, no offence to Jaddu's ever improving skills as a batsman. This is strictly from a Test cricket perspective. I'm not sure why people are talking about not picking Jaddu for batting skills. Ash is a smart bowler too, can use his variations in these pitches

Suri: Looking at GIll's form in the last 6 months, it's surprising to see Prithvi Shaw opening instead of him.

Vicious Vishy: Number of balls faced by Pujara is directly proportional India's success in this Test series

Aravind: Patience and foot work are the keys for any batsmen in New Zealand which Prithvi Shaw doesn't seem to posses.

Samiran: India probably tried to balance the batting by including Pant as they have opted for Ashwin instead of Jadeja. As in case of a top order collapse, the onus of recovery lies upon the lower middle order, ball also gets a bit old by that time.

Nilesh: Can anyone explain me why Wriddhiman Saha is warming the bench instead of Rishabh Pant. 'India have opted for the better overseas Test batsman'

Chris: Kohli has been losing 80 to 90% of tosses since England home series in late 2016 in every format including IPL except against SA in tests at home and Tests in Aus, wonder why it never got a mention anywhere. SA's bad luck in tests in Asia was highlighted. But Kohli's toss luck has been even worse.

Samiran: It will be the first real test of Prithvi Shaw. If he can prove his mettle here, he will seal his spot for the future, even if only as a back-up opener.

Rajshekhar: Isn't Umesh Yadav part of the squad? Kohli didn't take his name from the ones missing out. 'No, Kohli took his name and said he is one amongst five men sitting out'

Commentary not available for this match