Southampton: As the Day's play ended in Southampton India were 146/3. Virat Kohli was a few runs short of his fifty when day 2 was ended. The day's play was interrupted by the light constantly. Nonetheless, India managed to put on a decent score after a sudden loss of three wickets.
Kane Williamson has selected five fast-bowlers for the match but there was not a single spinner in the team. Former Aussie spinner Shane Warne has openly criticized this decision of not playing a single spinner in the team. New Zealand managed to pick up three Indian wickets, but the start wasn't like the one they expected to have. Shane Warne thinks the wicket will deteriorate even more to provide spin in the latter days. If India manages to score in excess of 270, then the"match is over" as per Shane Warne.
"Very disappointed in Nz not playing a spinner in the #ICCWorldTestChampionship as this wicket is going to spin big with huge foot marks developing already. Remember if it seems (seams) it will spin. India makes anything more than 275/300 ! The match is over unless weather comes in !"
We can only wait to find out if Warne's predictions come true.
On one hand, where India picked a traditional side with 3 pacers and 2 spinners, the New Zealand captain believed in his bowlers' ability to swing and picked 5 pacers. Williamson had Ajaz Patel and Will Young as spin bowling options in his ranks, but the Kiwi skipper was clear about having 5 pacers.
"Conditions, with the weather around, hopefully, we can make the most of it. Saying that, the wicket will be consistent throughout the game going by the cool weather. Have gone for four frontline seamers. One all-rounder, No spinner," Williamson said during the toss.