While Ajinkya Rahane-led India and Kane Williamson-led New Zealand locked horns in the first Test of the two-Test series at Green Park stadium, Kanpur, fans had a bizarre chant to motivate the hosts. In the fifth over of the match, fans were heard chanting ‘Pakistan murdabad’ in stands. The chants were heard clearly during the live telecast of first session. The video of chants has been posted on social media. Apart from anti-Pakistan chants, fans also chanted ‘Vande Matram’ to support the Indian openers.
On October 24, India had played Pakistan in their first match of T20 World Cup 2021 campaign. For the first time in World Cup history (50-over and T20 format), India were beaten by Pakistan. The 10-wicket loss in the first match followed by loss to Williamson's New Zealand led to India getting knocked out at the Super 12 stage.
There has been political tensions between the two neighbours which have prevented the two teams from playing a bilateral series. The last time Pakistan toured India was in 2012-13 for two T20Is and three ODIs.
Earlier Rahane had won the toss and elected to bat first. In the first session, India lost just one wicket of Mayank Agarwal and scored 82 runs with Shubman Gill scoring a half-century. After a good start in the first session, Gill got out early in the second as he lost his wicket to Kyle Jamieson for 52. Cheteshwar Pujara and stand-in skipper got good starts but got out after playing themselves in.
