Daijiworld Media Network

Kanpur, Sep 23 : If there's a 'restricting India in India' bingo, then New Zealand ticked off most of the boxes yesterday. Accurate spinners, a fast bowler who intimidates and another one who swings it, neat catching, and that defiant spirit which keeps going even in the face of blooming partnerships. But in so many ways, today is going to be the true test. How the visitors front up against a tailor-made home attack WILL be the make-or-break factor in this series. A capitulation here can wreck all prospects of a competition, while a gritty display can turn this series into an absolute potboiler. Firstly though, there's this small matter of ending India's final-wicket stand. Jadeja is still out there and can sting. Also, one more thing .. Before I get you all hyped up in anticipation, don't be surprised if weather plays a downer. There is rain forecast.

As a bonus for an enthralling day, here's a transcript of Vijay's post day interview: 'After tea was my session where I could have cashed in. That was a plan because the wicket was on the slower side so we wanted to rotate. Didn't want to do anything stupid. Wasn't turning that much but the wicket has got slower. But on day 2, with their footmarks, our bowlers can play around that. We have a good score, maybe 20 runs short. If Jaddu can hit his straps, we can get to around 320-330.'

Rahul's brisk innings - somewhat vindicating his selection over Dhawan, but not quite - was well backed up by Pujara and Vijay, with both getting to their fifties, but neither carried on. And their dismissals sandwiched an event that'll make for a watch all series: Kohli perishing to Wagner's famous short ball. Expect a riposte, soon. This pitch is turning, ever so progressively, and Rohit's giveaway dismissal, to end an encouraging innings, only helped in skewing the day in New Zealand's favour, after India opted to bat. Boult blew away Saha, Ashwin and Shami to seize the initiative completely, and at 291/9, do India look in trouble? Join us back tomorrow to see if New Zealand can resist Ashwin.

Stumps, Day 1 - 4:41pm local: Not the cracked pitch. Not Rohit and Ashwin's short-lived 52-run stand for the 6th wicket. Not Boult's stunning 3-wicket spell later in the day either. After they looked doomed with India at 105/1 at lunch, it was New Zealand's fightback in the second session that promotes this series to a contest. 3 wickets in that middle session to spice things up. And when Santner had the first bite of the 2nd new ball, it was evident that New Zealand are willing. Very willing, to shelve conventions and adapt, thus looking to win, not just learn.