Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on a fifty but India skipper Virat Kohli remained on course for one of his own as the hosts reached 148 for three at tea on the opening day of the third and final test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on a fifty but India skipper Virat Kohli remained on course for one of his own as the hosts reached 148 for three at tea on the opening day of the third and final test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Kohli was unbeaten on 45 at the break, having added 48 runs with Ajinkya Rahane (19) for the fourth wicket at Indore's Holkar Stadium, which is hosting a test for the first time.
The hosts, 2-0 up in the series, are looking for a clean sweep against New Zealand, who yet again face the daunting task of batting in the fourth innings against India's spinners.
Earlier, Kohli maintained his perfect toss record in the series and had little hesitation in batting first on a pitch which was already offering significant turn in the second session.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, back in the squad after missing the second test through illness, introduced spin as early as the fifth over and the decision paid off immediately.
Jeetan Patel struck with his fifth delivery when Murali Vijay (10) stepped out to flick the off-spinner and Tom Latham did not flinch and took a sharp catch at short leg.
It took injuries to openers Lokesh Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan to facilitate Gautam Gambhir's return to test cricket after a two-year gap and the left-hander looked determined to make it count.
Gambhir opened his account with a punch through the off side for a boundary and nonchalantly pulled successive Matt Henry deliveries for six to signal his intent.
Trent Boult ensured Gambhir could not convert the start into a big innings, however, trapping the southpaw leg-before with a good length delivery that kept low.
Pujara (41) played with characteristic composure but Mitchell Santner denied him his fourth fifty of the series with a beauty of a delivery which angled in and turned big to uproot the off-stump.
Kohli survived a leg-before appeal from Patel, who also induced an edge from the India captain which fell harmlessly between the wicketkeeper and the slip fielder.
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 "India v/s New Zealand, Cricket, 3rd Test, ,virat kohli,ajinkya rahane,cheteshwar pujara,kane williamson,gautam gambhir,jeetan pa")
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