FIRING THE FIRST SHOT
The New Indian Express|October 28, 2024
How New Zealand took down India in their own backyard to end the winning streak in Pune
SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN
FIRING THE FIRST SHOT

DURING the middle of the Tom Latham press conference post the second Test at Pune, the only travelling New Zealand journalist had a request. He got up and performed a 20-second 'war dance' before proceeding to thank the Kiwi skipper for what his side and he managed to achieve over the last two Tests.

The Black Caps had been touring India for 69 years and have almost always gone back empty-handed. For the first time in their history, they beat the beast away from home. How did they do it? Latham, appointed as skipper following a disappointing 0-2 reverse at Sri Lanka last month, gathered his troops just before they departed. They wanted to try and do something different to the Indian bowlers, the spinners especially. "Fire the first shot," he said at the press conference in Pune. He repeated that phrase a few times. Mitchell Santner had used the exact same phrase after he had picked up a seven-wicket haul on Day Two of the Test.

What did he mean by 'firing the first shot'? Trying to bat with aggression, as a strategy, isn't reinventing the wheel. It's existed for as old as time. In fact, earlier in 2024, when England had come to these shores, they wanted to do the exact same thing. They had told everyone who had bothered to listen. The Indian spinners, slowly but surely, picked the batters. By the time the fifth Test had ended, the efficiency of their batters had reduced to the level of raffle-winners.

Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 28, 2024-utgaven av The New Indian Express.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESSSe alt
Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale gets premiere date
The New Indian Express

Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairy Tale gets premiere date

AN upcoming documentary, which revolves around Nayanthara, titled Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale, is all set to premiere on Netflix on November 18, on the occasion of the actor's birthday.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
BOTTLE RADHA TO RELEASE IN DECEMBER
The New Indian Express

BOTTLE RADHA TO RELEASE IN DECEMBER

ARLIER, we had reported that actor Guru Somasundaram is all set to headline debut director Dhinakaran Sivalingam's film, Bottle Radha.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
Channing Tatum, Dave Bautista to star in Alpha Gang
The New Indian Express

Channing Tatum, Dave Bautista to star in Alpha Gang

The Zellner brothers' upcoming alien invasion comedy Alpha Gang, starring and produced by Cate Blanchett, has added an impressive lineup of actors to its cast.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
The New Indian Express Chennai

BOTTLE RADHA TO RELEASE IN DECEMBER

ARLIER, we had reported that actor Guru Somasundaram is all set to headline debut director Dhinakaran Sivalingam's film, Bottle Radha.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
Tales of trick-or-treat knows no zip code
The New Indian Express

Tales of trick-or-treat knows no zip code

HALLOWEEN in Chennai may not have the long-standing charm of Deepavali, but it's quickly finding its own quirky spot in the city's lineup of celebrations.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 31, 2024
Speeding into FIA spotlight
The New Indian Express

Speeding into FIA spotlight

FOR fans of F1 who cheer on Charles Leclerc's every turn, here's a homegrown story worth celebrating.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
'I LOVE TO PAIR HUMOUR AND HORROR'
The New Indian Express

'I LOVE TO PAIR HUMOUR AND HORROR'

Director Coralie Fargeat speaks about her body horror film, The Substance, impossible beauty standards for woman, working with Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley, and more

time-read
4 mins  |
October 31, 2024
Manchester United target Amorim says 'nothing decided yet'
The New Indian Express

Manchester United target Amorim says 'nothing decided yet'

RUBEN Amorim has said that \"nothing is decided yet,\" after Manchester United made the Sporting Lisbon coach their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
Medvedev loses to Popyrin in Paris
The New Indian Express

Medvedev loses to Popyrin in Paris

DANIIL Medvedev is still searching for his first ATP tournament victory this year after the World No 5 lost to Australia's Alexei Popyrin for the first time in his career at the Paris Masters on Wednesday.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024
Gill takes pay cut to keep Titans' core intact
The New Indian Express

Gill takes pay cut to keep Titans' core intact

GUJARAT Titans captain Shubman Gill has decided to take a pay cut and will be the second player retained by the IPL franchise ahead of the October 31 deadline.

time-read
1 min  |
October 31, 2024