IndvsNZ, 1st Test: India loses initiative on Day 1 at Eden Gardens

Kolkata: India handed an initiaive to New Zealand on the first day of the second Test of the three match series at the Eden Gardens here on Friday despite fighting fourth wicket partnership of Pujara and Rahane of 141 runs.

At stumps, Indians were 239/7 with Wriddhiman Saha (14) and Ravindra Jadeja (0) at the crease.

The visitors were in the command in the first session of the match with Indians were tattering at 57/3 with both the openers and skipper Virat Kohli back in the pavilion without any significant contribution.

The second session, however, belonged to Indians when Pujara and Rahane carried the score to 136/3 at tea.

The Black Caps managed to open the Indian flood gates when they claimed the wicket of in form Pujara who was 13 runs short from his century. Rohit Sharma, Ashwin and Rahane soon followed him in the pavilion. Pujara, fresh from two half centuries in the first Test match, produced another gem of an innings and got out when he looked set for his eighth ton. His innings was laced with 17 fours. Rahane was also looked in awesome form scoring 77 with the help of 11 fours.

None of other Indian batsmen looked in touch and the next double digit scores came from lower order batsman Ashwin (26) and Wridhhiman Saha (14 ).

Earlier, India won the toss and elected to bat first. The team management left out record opener Gautam Gambhir and preferred Shikhar Dhawan over him who again was a disappointment.

For New Zealand, Matt Henry claimed three wickets while spinner Jeetan Patel picked up two wickets. Pacers Neil Wagner and Trent Boult bagged single wicket each.

Also read: IndvsNZ, 2nd Test: New Zealand 136/3 at tea