India's batting maestro Virat Kohli was seen practicing after the conclusion of Day 1 of the second Test match against New Zealand in Pune. Despite not getting a chance to bat in the first innings, Kohli took the opportunity to fine-tune his skills.
Virat Kohli practices after Day 1 in Pune
The former Indian captain had a decent outing in the second innings of the previous Test in Bengaluru, contributing a valuable 70 runs. As India aims to level the series, Kohli's performance will be crucial in the upcoming matches.
Virat Kohli's performance in the second innings of the first Test was a testament to his resilience. After a disappointing duck in the first innings, he bounced back with a crucial 70-run knock. However, New Zealand's strong performance ultimately secured a 1-0 lead in the series.
India made a strong comeback in the second Test, bowling out New Zealand for a modest total of 259 runs. The Indian spinners, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Washington Sundar, dominated the proceedings. While Ashwin made early inroads, it was Sundar's exceptional spell that dismantled the New Zealand batting lineup. Sundar finished with a career-best bowling figure of 7/59, as the Indian spin duo shared all ten wickets between them.
The Pune pitch, although spin-friendly, offered a fair contest between bat and ball. However, Sundar's skill and accuracy, particularly with the old ball, proved too much for the New Zealand batsmen. The Kiwis, who were comfortably placed at 197/3, suffered a dramatic collapse, losing their last seven wickets for just 62 runs.
New Zealand's spin duo of Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner are set to pose big challenge to the Indian batters, including Virat Kohli. The turning pitch demanded utmost focus and concentration, and Kohli was ready to face the music if required. Fortunately, India's openers, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, managed to see off the day without needing Kohli's intervention.
Kohli's recent struggles against spin bowlers have been well-documented. While he displayed excellent form in the second innings of the previous Test, his dismissal to Glenn Phillips on the final ball of the day served as a reminder of his vulnerability against spin. To address this, Kohli engaged in a light practice session after the first day's play. Padded up and ready, he took some throwdowns to stay sharp and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
After the first day's play, cameras caught a heartwarming moment between Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. Kohli, who was practicing his batting, suddenly paused and turned towards Gambhir. The two shared a hearty laugh, seemingly engaged in a light-hearted conversation.
Watch Virat Kohli's batting drills here
