New Zealand vs India 2014: Ishwar Pandey takes 3 wickets in warm-up match against NZ XI

Ishwar Pandey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets

Day 1 of the 2-day game at the Cobham Oval, Wanghrei in New Zealand saw the NZ XI win the toss and elect to bat first.

The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma in the absence of MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, were chasing leather in the first session as the NZ openers put on a solid stand of 81 runs for the first wicket.

Ravichandran Ashwin got India its first breakthrough after 30.2 overs when he trapped George Worker leg before the wicket for 33.

India managed to get another breakthrough before lunch courtesy Zaheer Khan who got the skipper Anton Devcich to edge one behind the wicket to Wriddhiman Saha.

The hosts were cruising along in the first hour post lunch with opener Robert O’Donnell and Jono Hickey being untroubled for most part of their 57-run partnership.

Ishant Sharma though provided the breakthrough for India when he got O’Donnell (80) to edge one to Ajinkya Rahane at gully. The wicket also triggered a mini collapse as NZ went from 149-2 to 171-6 within a space of 10 overs.

Some rearguard action by Roald Badenhorst (34) saw the hosts declare their innings at 262/9 after 78 overs. For India, pacer Ishwar Pandey picked up 3 wickets while R. Ashwin and Ishant Sharma picked up 2 wickets apiece.

In response, India ended the day at 41/0 in 14 overs with both Murali Vijay (19*) and Shikhar Dhawan (16*) getting off to starts.

India will be hoping to bat for a considerable duration of time tomorrow with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara looking to get some time in the middle before the first Test at Auckland starting Feb 6th.

Scorecard (courtesy New Zealand Cricket)