Why did Cheteshwar Pujara come to open?

New Delhi: Cheteshwar Pujara came in place of Shubman Gill to open the second innings for India on the second day of the second Test between India and New Zealand. Pujara and Mayank Agarwal came to open for India and gave India a strong start. At the end of the second day’s play, the hosts scored 69 runs without losing a wicket. For India, Cheteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 29 and Mayank Agarwal scored 38 runs. With this, India has taken a lead of 332 runs on the basis of first innings. There are still three days left in the Test match and the Kiwis are on the back foot.

BCCI told why Shubman Gill did not come to open for India in the second innings. BCCI tweeted from its official Twitter account and wrote, ‘Shubman Gill suffered a right elbow injury while fielding in the first innings. He has not fully recovered and hence did not field him as a precaution. Earlier, the first innings of the Kiwi team was reduced to 62 runs. Virat Kohli did not give follow-on to the visiting team. For India, R Ashwin took 4 wickets and Mohammad Siraj took 3 wickets.

Earlier, India’s first innings was bundled out for 325 runs. The 33-year-old Patel took ten wickets for 119 runs in 47.5 overs in India’s first innings. Ejaz is only the third spinner to take all 10 wickets in a Test innings. Before him, this feat was done by Anil Kumble and Jim Laker. Mayank Agarwal scored the highest 150 runs in the first innings for India.