Having seen India through the session between lunch and tea without losing a wicket, it was expected that either of Rahane or Pujara – if not both – would bat till end of the day.
Cheteshwar Pujara was 13 runs short of his eighth Test hundred. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was 23 shy of his eighth century. Having seen India through the session between lunch and tea without losing a wicket, it was expected that either of the two – if not both – would bat till end of the day.
Call it lapse in concentration under humid conditions or whatever, Pujara played his first false stroke in his 281-minute stay by driving a Neil Wagner half-volley straight to short covers. He had missed out on yet another century, the fourth such occasion in the last one year. A little later, Rahane too fell, trapped leg before to off-spinner Jeetan Patel while playing across the line.
Disappointed both were, but not shattered, for they have given India some total to defend with three wickets still in hand.
"It is disappointing to miss out on a hundred, but as a batsman, you don't think about scoring a hundred," Rahane said at the end of the day's play. "You see the situation and play accordingly. I felt that in the second session we played really well, but after tea maybe we lost our concentration and got out.
"I think we had a few soft dismissals. The partnership between Pujara and me was crucial. Nevertheless, it's not a typical Kolkata wicket. There is something in the wicket, and it's two-paced as well. But I'm really happy with the way Pujara and I batted, especially in the second session. It was really tough, it was humid. But yes overall, not a good day for us," he added.
The Mumbaikar said India ought to have finished with at least two wickets fewer than the seven they lost at stumps. "A total of 240-250 for four or five would have been good for us on this kind of a pitch. But (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Wriddhiman) Saha are batting, and if we get 75 to 100 runs tomorrow (Saturday), 325-330 will be a good first innings total here," he said.
Despite saying that it was not a typical Kolkata pitch, Rahane was not surprised with what was on offer. "We were not surprised, but we didn't expect a two-paced wicket. We felt it will be very good. Generally, the Kolkata wicket is flat and good for batting. It was there for the fast bowlers, and initially they bowled really well too.
"It's not easy for the batsmen, but again – no excuses. We played some bad shots and got out, it happens in cricket. We'll have to learn quickly and move forward again," Rahane said.
The 28-year-old, who found New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel to be the toughest on the day, said he and Pujara will take the blame for India being in this position.
"We were set. He got out on 87 and I got out on 77. I think it was our responsibility to carry that partnership forward. Batsman just needs one ball to get out, but I think if among the two of us, had one made a hundred, maybe our position would have been different. I can't blame anyone else, but maybe it was Pujara and my responsibility to take the partnership forward."
We have to keep applying our work: Henry
It is never easy for anyone to straightaway make an impression within hours of landing in a foreign country. New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel took the hot and humid conditions of Kolkata in his stride and answered the call of his country with aplomb, picking up 2/66 in 21 overs to apply the brakes on the Indian batting line-up.
New Zealand's right-arm pacer Matt Henry, who picked up 3/35, said: "It is a tough ask (for Jeetan) coming in from England and only having a couple of days to prepare. He's got a lot of experience. He brought a lot of energy in the field, experience and confidence. I thought the way he played today was exceptional. Both the spinners (Mitch Santner and Patel) showed a lot of control and created pressure through those tough periods where it was really hot. It was important we could control that run-rate because we had to keep that squeeze on." It was Henry who took crucial wickets, dismissing both the openers early on. With only India's tail left to be dismissed, Henry said: "The first hour tomorrow (Saturday) is crucial. We just have to keep applying our work and still be patient and do our jobs. It is going to be an important session for how the game unfolds."
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