Watch : Cheteshwar Pujara failed to pick Trent Boult in-swinger only to see his stumps rattled

The first test match between India and New Zealand at Basin Reserve is in an interesting phase at the moment. There were plenty of action on day 3 as New Zealand were in driving seat as the day comes to an end.

Familiar weakness strikes again for Cheteshwar Pujara

India’s key batsman and ever dependable Cheteshwar Pujara is finding it tough in New Zealand conditions just like most of the top order batsmen for India. On Sunday, he was taking his time to set on a relatively easy pitch compared to first innings and was building an useful partnership with Mayank Agarwal.

But on the last ball before the tea break, Pujara lost his concentration and left an in-swinger from Trent Boult. Ball crashed into Pujara’s stumps and only thing he could do was to watch. New Zealand had their 2nd breakthrough and that too very important one. This was termed as serious error of judgement from India’s no 3. Trent Boult was bowling from around the wicket and the ball was coming in towards the stumps. Even without the significant inswing, that was the ball that Pujara should have played.

https://twitter.com/Cricket50719030/status/1231432586016067584?s=20

Twitter reactions

Fans were not only surprised by the mode of dismissal but they were also quite disappointed about the strange innings from Cheteshwar Pujara.

Pujara doing his best to stay longer on the crease to hide India's weak link Virat Kohli. #NZvIND

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 23, 2020

https://twitter.com/Boomrah_/status/1231419922032603136?s=20

What is the point Pujara playing 81 balls for 11 runs, and you know one good ball is all you need, disappointing, maybe Pujara is good to play at 6 when the team is in trouble rather than playing at 3 and pushing INDIA back with his strike rate #NZvIND

— Shiva (@shivabelieves) February 23, 2020

What a big impact player Pujara is, he left the ball and everybody left the field.#NZvInd

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) February 23, 2020

India have their task cut out at Wellington
India had a dream start to third day of the test match with Jasprit Bumrah getting the account of BJ Watling on the very first ball. But inability to get rid of the lower order was again on display as Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson piled on the misery for the visitors. New Zealand finished with 348 and gained a crucial lead of 183 runs.

India again lost Prithvi Shaw early and Cheteshwar Pujara could not last long. Mayank Agarwal was the only shining light with a half century as Virat Kohli rounded off a disappointing test match for him personally. Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari were unbeaten at the end with a lot of work to do on fourth day.