The morning began with a flurry of boundaries, as Rishabh Pant laid his aggressive mark early in the day’s play against New Zealand’s spinner Ajaz Patel. Pant opened his account with two elegant straight drives followed by an edge that raced to the boundary, securing three fours off Patel’s very first over. Despite Patel’s resurgence later in the day when he claimed a remarkable five-wicket haul, Pant’s initial assault left a lasting impression. His explosive half-century came off just 36 balls, with 49 of those runs accumulating in the very first hour of play.
Ajaz Patel attempted to halt Pant’s momentum by adjusting his lengths. Nonetheless, Pant adapted with audacious creativity, sweeping and reverse-sweeping his way to the boundary. A couple of towering sixes followed, showcasing Pant’s disdain for Patel’s spin. Shubman Gill joined the offensive, lofting a magnificent shot over cover, which forced New Zealand’s skipper, Tom Latham, to seek a change in their bowling attack after the two batsmen together scored 40 runs off Patel’s initial five overs.
The preceding evening had concluded with an atmosphere of tension. Patel had been instrumental in disrupting the Indian innings by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal and nightwatchman Mohammad Siraj in successive deliveries. As the series rolled into the second Test, with Mitchell Santner absent, Patel was seen as New Zealand’s primary spin threat. However, India’s defiance in the day’s opening hour delayed the impact Patel could make, despite him feeling he delivered solid spells during that period.
Reflecting on Pant’s innings, Patel remarked, “This morning I felt I bowled really well, but Rishabh batted exceptionally. He’s been phenomenal throughout this tour and is a player who puts pressure back on us, no matter the situation. It’s about keeping things simple, controlling what you can, and understanding that a good shot from the batsman is beyond your control.”
While Pant aggressively upset the rhythm of the bowlers, Gill’s approach was more measured and calculated. The dynamic between Pant and Gill had proven successful before, notably during a significant stand in Chennai where they collaborated to put on a 167-run partnership. That partnership had been forged under less pressure, given India’s lead at the time. However, here the pressure loomed large over the young batsmen, who each brought contrasting strategies to bear.
In contrast to Pant’s slugger-like approach, Gill employed a tactician’s stance.
. Content to withstand occasional beats from Patel’s deliveries, Gill remained laser-focused on steadily accumulating runs with patience and perseverance. This has been Gill’s most prosperous year in Test cricket, with an average exceeding 50, despite facing challenges along the way. An injury had sidelined him for the Bengaluru Test, and in Pune, Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin had twice ended Gill’s innings prematurely. Gill is known for his commitment to long net sessions, which he believes fortify his confidence. Unfortunately, he lacked ample time to prepare for the Pune Test.
“I didn’t have much time because of an injury from the first Test,” Gill explained. “There wasn’t much net practice leading up to these Tests. I like long practice sessions to feel confident.”
The team had two crucial practice sessions in Mumbai, and on the day before the Test, Gill dedicated additional time to focus on facing left-arm spinners, an area that had troubled him. This preparation paid off as he worked on bringing his bat in front of the pad with greater confidence and focused on maintaining a solid defense. Although he eventually fell to a slower delivery from Patel, Gill’s strategic revision was largely effective, allowing him to reach a well-earned 90.
“It’s among the best knocks I’ve played,” Gill commented. “Leading up to the Test, it was about returning to the form and techniques against spinners that served me well against England. I aimed to replicate that before this match.”
The innings didn’t begin smoothly for Gill. Facing Ajaz Patel, his first ball resulted in an inside edge. However, showing resilience, he soon found his stride with sweep shots that cleared fielders intent on restricting easy singles.
Pant’s fiery initial knock ensured that Gill could grow into his game unfettered by the jitters of early-play nerves. Whether by design or happenstance, the duo executed their plan to perfection, providing India with a potent and varied response to New Zealand’s spin challenge, culminating in a crucially advantageous position for the team.