Indian batsmen got out to loose shots: Murali Vijay

On a day where the fortunes of both sides swung back and forth wildly, New Zealand clawed their way back into the game by picking up wickets at regular intervals in the last two sessions to leave India in a spot of bother at 291 for 9 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test at the Green Park in Kanpur on Thursday (September 22).

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara joined forces to share a stand of 112 for the second wicket for India after KL Rahul departed for 32. However, the dismissal of Pujara for a well-measured 62, opened the door for New Zealand to chip away at the home team's middle order and end the day in ascendancy.

Vijay, who notched up a useful innings of 65, reckoned that India already have a substantial total on the board and that there is enough assistance for the spinners to make inroads into the New Zealand line-up on the second day. "I think we are in a good position," said Vijay. "We have put the runs on the board. All we got to do now is to go there (and) put pressure on them while bowling. It is a good total to play around with.

"You never know how we go about it on Day 2. We have our plans. The wicket is on the slower side and it is difficult to score runs. Thats what we felt. It is going to be difficult for them as well with the quality of (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja in the side. So, it is going to be a good day for us hopefully," he added.

Barring the duo of Vijay and Pujara, rest of the batsmen struggled to show the required batting aptitude on a track that is offering slow turn. The 32-year-old opener admitted that there were quite a few soft dismissals in India's innings and hoped they would put up a better show in the second innings.

"A bit of both," admitted Vijay when asked if there was a lack of application by the Indian batsmen or if the pitch played a part in their dismissals. "We got out to loose shots. The wicket was deteriorating as well. We have got to be really patient on this wicket. It is a lesson learnt. We will hopefully put up a better show in the second innings."

Rohit Sharma chipped a loft straight into the hands of the mid on fielder and was dismissed just five overs before the second new ball. Vijay, though, backed the middle-order batsman's choice of shot saying, "Thats his area, I guess. When it comes off, it always looks good. When it doesnt, you fall on the wrong side. So I think we still need to back our instincts and play because we are playing in a sport where we have got to win matches rather than just participate. Whatever has got you here, you have to back that."

With two left-arm pacers and three spinners, New Zealand have a well-balanced attack for subcontinental conditions. Vijay acknowledged that the visitors have a potent bowling line-up, but rued the fact that India couldn't capitalise on a good start after having been 154 for 2 at one stage. "They have a good bowling attack. All we have got to do is to play according to the situation. We knew these were going to be their plans. We were well prepared. We could have capitalised a little more after tea," Vijay summed up.