India’s top-order was blown away in the morning session on Day 4 of the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur as the hosts conceded a position of strength after having sealed a handy first-innings lead. New Zealand bowlers were fired up on Sunday morning as they piled up the pressure on India batters who looked clueless on the Green Park pitch that was doing a bit more than usual.

It was disappointing to see captain Ajinkya Rahane and vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara fail under pressure even as heir careers are on the line after a series of inconsistent performances in whites.

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Cheteehwar Pujara set an unwanted record as he equalled Ajit Wadekar’s streak of going without a hundred while batting at No. 3. Pujara has played 39 innings without a 3-figure score at the crucial spot in the batting order for the Asian giants. Wadekar, former India captain, went without a hundred at No. 3 for 39 innings between 1968 and 1974. Pujara’s streak started in 2019. Notablyu, Pujara had gone without a hundred for 37 innings between 2013 and 2016.

Most innings without a hundred while batting at No. 3

Ajit Wadekar (1968-74), Cheteshwar Pujara (2019-2021*) – 39

Cheteshwar Pujara (2013 and 2016) – 37

On the other hand, Ajinkya Rahane, whose place in the side has been questioned, failed to get going when India needed a senior batter to step up on Sunday morning. Rahane opened his account with a boundary but he fell to the very next delivery from left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel for 4.

Rahane played down concerns over his batting form in the lead up to the Test series opener against New Zealand. He took over as India’s stand-in captain as Virat Kohli was rested for the first Test. However, after scores of 35 and 4, it remains to be seen if Rahane will retain his place for the 2nd Test, starting December 3 in Mumbai.