Kohli, Rahane sizzle to put India on top
08-Oct-2016
New Zealand lost their third consecutive toss, but had early success when Jeetan Patel snuffed out M Vijay•BCCI
Gautam Gambhir, replacing Shikhar Dhawan, marked his return to Test cricket with confidence, and raced away with consecutive sixes against Matt Henry•BCCI
He looked especially comfortable against spin in an assured second-wicket stand with Cheteshwar Pujara•BCCI
However, Trent Boult beat Gambhir's inside-edge and rapped him on the pads for 29•BCCI
Pujara and Virat Kohli then took India to 75 for 2 at lunch•BCCI
Pujara resumed confidently after the break, before he fell to a ripper from Mitchell Santner that took out his off stump•Associated Press
But Virat Kohli moved his feet well and held firm in the midst of a testing spell from the New Zealand spinners. In the company of Ajinkya Rahane, he steered India to 148 for 3 at tea•BCCI
Kohli raised his half-century soon after the break with a neat drive through covers•BCCI
Rahane was on the receiving end of short balls throughout his stay•BCCI
But he hung on and when the full ones came, he put them away en route to his 10th Test fifty•BCCI
Kohli scampered through for a single and beat a direct throw at the non-striker's end to raise his 13th Test century•AFP
The Kohli-Rahane partnership realised 167 unbeaten runs, and took India to 267 for 3 when stumps were drawn•AFP