It rained in the morning at Southampton. Many were disappointed that there would be no cricket on day 5. But luckily rain stopped and covers were off. Play started at time. Each session was planned for 2 hours respectively. New Zealand started the day with a score on card 101-2 with still trail India by 116 runs. Captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor were at the crease. Since the conditions were cloudy and overcast, the ball started swinging well. So Indian captain used his 3 prime fast bowlers for the whole 1st session.
Session 1
The plan of New Zealand was to play safe for the 1st session. It seemed that the runs didn’t matter much to them. They scored 34 runs in 23 overs in the 1st session. They played riskless shots. They wanted to go without any wicket loss at the end of 1st session. Their plan worked well until India’s senior bowler Mohammad Shami took the wicket of Ross Taylor. It was a good catch by Shubman Gill inside the circle. Then the left hander Henry Nicholls came in. Ishant Sharma bowled a well constructed outswinger outside the off stump. Nicholls played to get caught on the slip. Rohit Sharma took the fantastic catch. After him, BJ Watling joined Kane. He was removed in his 2nd ball by Shami by a inswinger that hit the middle stump. After Watling, their all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme joined hands with Kane. But then, there seemed to be a change in their plan. de Grandhomme looked to play shots. Also, he was conscious about tackling the good balls.
Session 2
At the end of 80th over, India took the new ball. Shami used the new ball very well. He took the wicket of de Grandhomme tactically. He bowled 3 outswingers from position close to the stumps. Then he bowled a inswinger from wide of the crease. Then happened that lbw shout and the batsman gone. Players came in and went out without making a long partnership with Kane. Kane remained at one end without help. Kyle Jamieson joined Kane this time. His attacking plans worked well. He scored some boundaries. He hit Shami to a six after which Shami bowled a good bouncer to take him for a catch at the fine leg. That was a very judged catch by Bumrah. Then Southee came and scored. Kane was dismissed at 49 by Ishant at the slip. Then New Zealand’s innings ended at 249 runs.
Session 3
India opened their 2nd innings trailing New Zealand by 32 runs. Gill and Rohit gave a good start until Southee took Gill for a lbw by an inswinger in the 11th over. Soon Rohit gone scoring 30 runs. The team score was 51 at that time. Some expected a night watchman since the day was nearing the end. But Kohli came at no.4 without discussion. He joined Pujara at the crease. India finished the day-5 at 64-2 with Pujara and Kohli standing at the crease.
Hope there would be no rain on the reserve day and expect a result rather than a draw.
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