NEW DELHI: After the conclusion of Day 1 of the second Test against New Zealand in Pune, a large section of the crowd chose to stay back at the stadium to watch Virat Kohli practice.
The atmosphere remained electric as fans eagerly observed Kohli’s extended session in the nets, where the star batter worked on his technique and fine-tuned his skills.
His dedication and focus delighted the spectators, who cheered him on, turning a routine practice into a memorable experience for those present.
He struggled with the bat during the two-match Test series against Bangladesh and in the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. The 35-year-old was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but bounced back in the second, scoring a solid 70 to regain some form.
Earlier in the day, Washington Sundar delivered a career-best performance, taking seven wickets, while spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin added three to bowl New Zealand out for 259
India ended the day at 16 for 1, having lost captain Rohit Sharma early to a Tim Southee delivery for a nine-ball duck. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 10, with Yashasvi Jaiswal not out on six at stumps after an eventful day.
Sundar, brought into the side in place of Kuldeep Yadav following India’s eight-wicket loss in the series opener in Bengaluru, justified his selection by ripping through New Zealand’s middle and lower order to finish with impressive figures of 7 for 59.
