After making a brisk start, the Indian openers fell with the Indian score on 60. Kohli and Pujara put on 40 runs for the third wicket. Just after lunch, Pujara was dismissed for 100 and the Kiwi bowlers were tightening the screws.
But Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane thwarted the Kiwi attack and put on an unbroken 167 partnership and guided India to a strong position.
The Indian captain Virat Kohli completed his thirteenth century and the first of this India-New Zealand series. Kohli is unbeaten on 103. On the other hand, Rahane patiently rotated the strike and scored an unbeaten 79. India finished the day 267 for 3.
It will be seen on the second day morning, whether these two batsmen change gears and score some quick runs and put India in a strong position.
Final over of the first day.
Virat Kohli scores the first century of the series. Excellent innings from the captain and equally amazing partnership with Ajinkya Rahane. India are 256 for 3. It is Kohli's 13th Test century.
Oh Virat you beauty you!! >#indvsnz
— Ashwin اشوين Ferns (@ashshanuferns) >October 8, 2016
The partnership between Kohli and Rahane is the best so far in this series.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is putting all efforts to break this partnership and has taken the second new ball.
With Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hoding fort, India are looking to put up a big score in the first innings. India are 225 for 3 with Kohli 84 and Rahane 56 still at the crease.
Ajinkya Rahane completes his half-century and India going steadily to a big score.
Coming together at the score of 100 for 3, Virat Kohli and Rahane has dominated the bowling and had added 108 runs till now.
I don't meditate. I watch >@imVkohli & >@ajinkyarahane88 s partnership That gives me peace. >#indvsnz
— Ruthvik (@RuthvikBhargav) >October 8, 2016
With 15 overs still to go, can Kohli complete his century today? If Kohli scores century, it will be the first of this series.
Will >@imVKohli the first batsman to get a century In >#indvsnz test series ?...........None has got yet
— Amit Das (@amit_032000) >October 8, 2016
India reaches 200 in 72nd over with Kohli and Rahane going great guns.
After 66 overs India are 178 for 3 with Kohli on 64 and Rahane on 31 still at the crease.
Post-tea, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane continued to thwart the New Zealand bowling attack and put India in a strong position. Captain Virat Kohli completed his half-century and Rahane continued to flourish with his company. India are 161 for 3 with Kohli on 56 and Rahane on 21 at the crease.
Whenever Kohli reaches 50 he always try to reach 100 as quick as possible... This session crucial >#IndvsNz
— Rajkumar Sekar (@I_Raj13) >October 8, 2016
It's 50 for Indian captain Virat Kohli. What an innings
Post-lunch, India progressed slowly to 148 for 3 adding 73 runs in 28 overs.
After the dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane slowly stitched 48 runs. Virat Kohli on 45 and Ajinkya Rahane on 19 are at the crease.
Rahane completes 2000 runs in Test cricket. He thus became the 36th player to score those many runs for India.
Post-lunch, the early dismissal of Cheteshwar Pujara for a well-made 41 didn't deter Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. They both tackled the Kiwi bowlers cautiously and India are placed at 119 for 3 with Kohli 32 and Rahane 3 are at the crease.
The New Zealand bowler Santner breaks the partnership by dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara for 41. India loses their third wicket for 100. Rahane is the new man.
>@imVkohli has that, "Today is my day" look doesn't he? >#INDvsNZ>#cricket>#test>#Kohli
— Viren Baid (@virenbaid) >October 8, 2016
The Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara didn't let the Kiwi bowlers to make further inroads by stitching a patient partnership. After 35 overs, India are 99 for 2 with Kohli on 15 and Pujara on 41 still at the crease.
Post-lunch, the Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara played cautious cricket and frustrated the Kiwi bowlers. India are 84 for 2 with Kohli on 11 and Pujara on 33 at the crease.
After electing to bat first, India started on a strong note with Murali Vijay and Gautam Gambhir scored some brisk runs. But the introduction of spin in the fifth over got immediate breakthrough for New Zealand.
Jeetan Patel dismissed Murali Vijay for 10 and there was sudden drop in the run-rate for India.
After a partnership of 34 runs between Gambhir and Pujara, Trent Boult removed Gambhir for 29.
There was no further luck for the New Zealand bowlers as Pujara and Kohli saw through some anxious moments and India are placed at 75 for 2 at lunch.
India scored their first 50 runs in 12 overs and then only 15 in 10 overs besides the all important wicket of Gambhir. What a comeback from the Kiwi bowlers.
Is Gautam Gambhir a perfect batsman after coming from long time ? >@BCCI>#AskTheExpert>#IndvsNz
— Anish singh (@Anishas546) >October 8, 2016
The New Zealand bowlers bounced back to remove Gautam Gambhir for 29. Trent Boult is the bowler. Virat Kohli is the new man in. India are 60 for 2
After the dismissal of Murali Vijay, Gautam Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara held fort for India and did not allow the Kiwi bowlers to dominate them. They both added 26 runs. Gambhir, in particular, is playing beautifully and look to score a big one in this game as he comes back into the side after two years. India are 52 for 1.
After making a brisk start, Murali Vijay was dismissed by Patel, the first wicket for spin of the match. India are 26 for 1 with Gambhir on 16 is still at the crease. Excellent catch at short-leg by Latham. Pujara is the new man.
After electing to bat, the Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay had no difficulty in handling the pace bowlers from New Zealand.
After four overs India are 26 for no loss with Vijay on 10 and Gambhir on 16 at the crease. Gambhir smashed two sixes in one over off the bowling of Matt Henry.
India elected to bat after winning the toss in the third cricket Test against New Zealand with veteran opener Gautam Gambhir making a comeback into the Indian playing XI after more than two years.
Pacer Umesh Yadav was also included in the side due to an injury to Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
For New Zealand, regular skipper Kane Williamson is back in the side while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham made it to the XI in place of pacer Neil Wagner.
Teams
India: Gautam Gambhir, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Luke Ronchi, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, BJ Watling (wk), Jeetan Patel, Matt Henry, Trent Boult.
(With PTI inputs)
