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India 307 for 5 (Pujara 119*, Kohli 58) v New Zealand
As far as omens go, the first day of the Hyderabad Test gave the Indian team a sign that the leading contender for their suddenly-vacant no. 3 slot had been sighted.
Cheteshwar Pujara's maiden Test century, in his first Test after more than 20 months, gave his team the oxygen it needed to kick off its 10-Test home season. India ended on 307 for 5 on the opening day of their two-Test series against New Zealand in Hyderabad. India lost two wickets in the final session, but Pujara, not out on 119 and MS Dhoni, on 29, saw off seven overs of the second new ball.
A 125-run fourth wicket partnership between Pujara and Virat Kohli gave the Indian innings the momentum it needed. India had lost their three most experienced batsmen - Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar - within the first half of the day after winning the toss. India were 125 for 3 before the Pujara-Kohli partnership promised to turn the tide.
New Zealand's bowling attack ran in hard all day on a dry, bare wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Uppal outside Hyerabad. After Pujara and Kohli had looked like running away with the day in the final session, the wickets of Kohli and Suresh Raina had given the New Zealand side some heart with the new ball approaching.
As far as omens go, the first day of the Hyderabad Test gave the Indian team a sign that the leading contender for their suddenly-vacant no. 3 slot had been sighted.
Cheteshwar Pujara's maiden Test century, in his first Test after more than 20 months, gave his team the oxygen it needed to kick off its 10-Test home season. India ended on 307 for 5 on the opening day of their two-Test series against New Zealand in Hyderabad. India lost two wickets in the final session, but Pujara, not out on 119 and MS Dhoni, on 29, saw off seven overs of the second new ball.
A 125-run fourth wicket partnership between Pujara and Virat Kohli gave the Indian innings the momentum it needed. India had lost their three most experienced batsmen - Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar - within the first half of the day after winning the toss. India were 125 for 3 before the Pujara-Kohli partnership promised to turn the tide.
New Zealand's bowling attack ran in hard all day on a dry, bare wicket at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in Uppal outside Hyerabad. After Pujara and Kohli had looked like running away with the day in the final session, the wickets of Kohli and Suresh Raina had given the New Zealand side some heart with the new ball approaching.