Wriddhiman Saha did not take the field and wicketkeeping gloves at the start of the third day of the first Test in Kanpur due to a stiff neck and Andhra Pradesh’s Srikar Bharat made his maiden appearance behind the stumps for India.
Saha came back into the playing XI as India rested Rishabh Pant, whose rapid strides as a wicketkeeper-batsman made it impossible for the Bengal wicketkeeper to maintain his place in the side, even on pitches helpful to spinners.
New Zealand resumed their first innings at 129/0 with the openers Will Young and Tom Latham resuming on 75 and 50 respectively. Indian bowlers have been bowling well without too much luck and bounce from the surface that did not help the ball carry to the closing fielders.