Cricket Highlights: India vs New Zealand 2nd Test Day 1 - Pujara-Rahane Stand Save India Blushes

New Zealand clearly have the upper hand at stumps on Day 1 after clearly dominating play in the morning and post-tea sessions. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane offered some resistance but apart from them, the Indian batting line-up failed to come to terms with the wicket and Kiwi bowlers. Follow cricket highlights of India vs New Zealand here. (SCORECARD | NEWS | VIDEOS)

16:55 hrs IST: That is all for now! Join us tomorrow for Day 2 action.

16:53 hrs IST: If not for Pujara and Rahane, India would have been in deep trouble.

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane saved India the blushes at the end of Day 1.
Photo Credit: AFP

16:47 hrs IST: Credit must be given to New Zealand bowlers who used the alien conditions to the optimum, picking seven crucial Indian wickets.

16:45 hrs IST: The day clearly belonged the visiting team with the Black Caps picking up seven Indian wickets. Pujara and Rahane offered some resistance but that was not enough looking at the overall picture.

16:40 hrs IST: And that is stumps! India end Day 1 on 239/7 with Ravindra Jadeja and Wriddhiman Saha at the crease

Early stumps on day one = bad light. India 239/7. Henry 3, Patel 2, Boult & Wagner 1 wicket a piece. Press conferences to come #INDvNZ ^WN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

16:35 hrs IST: Though India's run rate has increased, they have lost way too many wickets

16:30 hrs IST: Matt Henry has picked up three wickets today, most by any bowler

OUT! Matt Henry with a late strike on day one. Removes the dangerous Ashwin for 26. Six overs left in day. 231/7 #INDvNZ ^WN pic.twitter.com/ziW7YfU7gi

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

16:28 hrs IST: This is very good session for New Zealand after a poor one after lunch. They have picked up four crucial Indian wickets

16:25 hrs IST: OUT!!! India lose another as Ashwin is LBW by Henry

16:20 hrs IST: That is a nice sight! India captain Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan - all Delhi boys - having a laugh together in the pavillion

16:18 hrs IST: Meanwhile find out why Shikhar Dhawan is being trolled on social media

1616 hrs IST: Matt Henry is back into the attack!

16:13 hrs IST: Second new ball has been taken!

16:11 hrs IST: SIX!! What a way to get off the mark! First six of the innings from Saha and gets applause from opposition captain Taylor

16:10 hrs IST: Three boundaries from this Santner over from the willow of Ashwin

16:08 hrs IST: Bit of cream, eh?

Wicket! Third in the session! Patel traps Rahane (77) and India are 200-6. Bit of cream at the end of the day for the BLACKCAPS #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

16:06 hrs IST: Mind you these two can bat

16:05 hrs IST: India 200/6 with Ravichandran Ashwin and Wriddhiman Saha at the crease

16:01 hrs IST: OUT!!!! Rahane is out lbw by Jeetal Patel! Plumb in front of the wickets!

15:58 hrs IST: And India have reached 200 in the 78th over of the day!

15:55 hrs IST: These last two wickets have really pegged India back and brought New Zealand back into the game

15:52 hrs IST: Ravichandran Ashwin has joined Rahane out there

15:50 hrs IST: Lovely delivery and Rohit once again loses concentration to give away his wicket.

Wicket! Jeetan Patel gets Sharma to inside edge one onto his pad and Tom Latham takes a sharp catch close-in. India 194-5 #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

15:48 hrs IST: OUT!!! Rohit is out for 2! Soft dismissal! Jeetan Patel gets his first wicket!

15:46 hrs IST: But he seems to be in pain. Rohit, at the non-striker's end, tried to go for a run, Rahane sent him back and he had to slide back into the crease. In the process he looks to have injured himself

15:45 hrs IST: Trouble here... ! Rohit is safe

15:43 hrs IST: The significant question here is.... whether Rohit Sharma will make it count today

15:38 hrs IST: India 193/4 after 72 overs. It has been a very solid revival for India after those three early dismissals.

15:34 hrs IST: That was a crucial wicket - both for India and New Zealand!

Breakthrough! Wagner's hammered away & has Pujara caught at short cover for a patient 87. Late sniff for the boys here! 187-4 #INDvNZ ^WN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

15:30 hrs IST: Meanwhile in an hours time, Pakistan will take on the West Indies at Sharjah in the first ODI between the two teams. Read more about it here

15:25 hrs IST: Eventually it was a soft dismissal! Gifted a catch to Martin Guptill on his birthday at short cover!

15:20 hrs IST: OUT!!! Pujara has departed after scoring a brilliant 87 to revive the Indian innings

15:15 hrs IST: Pujara on 87 looks good for a century here

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane steadied India's ship after after jolts on Friday.
Photo Credit: AFP

15:08 hrs IST: It is raining boundaries for India!

15:04 hrs IST: Three boundaries in the last six deliveries!

15:00 hrs IST: The 100-run partnership is also up between Rahane and Pujara

100 run partnership up for Pujara and Rahane off 236 balls. Slow and patient from these two. 147-3, new ball due in 19 overs #INDvNZ ^WN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

14:59 hrs IST: Rahane has scored the 9th half-century of his career

.@ajinkyarahane88 reaches his half century, #TeamIndia 147/3 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/jYyGG9Qiyu

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

14:54 hrs IST: This has been some recovery for India

14:48 IST: The 100-run stand is also up. India are now 147/3 from 62 overs.

14:42 IST: Ajinkya Rahane completes his half-century after adding a couple of runs. This has been quite a recovery from India after those three early wickets.

14:38 hrs IST: Ajinkya Rahane is inching closer to his half-century. Him and Pujara have added 93 runs so far after India's third wicket.

14:25 hrs IST: India did not lose wickets in the second session and played 31 overs to put up 79 runs!

Tea in Kolkata. Slow going with the bat as India reach 136-3 from 58 overs at 2.3 runs an over. Back in 20 for the final session. INDvNZ ^WN

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

14:19 hrs IST: While Pujara is batting on 64, Rahane is at 47 not out at tea.

14:17 hrs IST: And it is tea. India are 136/3 at tea and that was some recovery!

14:12 hrs IST: Edge by Rahane but no silly point!

14:10 hrs IST: Boundaries have increased for India. 22 fours so far today, no sixes though.

14:05 hrs IST: Rahane looks good for his half-century now!

14:00 hrs IST: Lovely cover drive and Rahane is into his 40s!

13:54 hrs IST: The run rate is slowly increasing for India.

13:47 hrs IST: Unlike the first session, the second one has completely belonged to India. No wickets yet

13:43 hrs IST: 50 overs are up! India 109/3! 

13:36 hrs IST: Run out chance but Pujara is safe! India should not be taking risks at this stage

13:30 hrs IST: Runs should begin to flow now as India cross the 100-run mark

13:28 hrs IST: Four! And Pujara finally brings up his half-century! His 10th half-century in Test matches!

FIFTY! Third consecutive half century for @cheteshwar1 @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/hIX1SdzTHI

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

Pujara plays through to the third-man boundary and brings up his third consecutive 50, this one off 146 balls #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

13:22 hrs IST: Nice cut from Rahane and the 50-partnership between the two comes up. He is taking the pressure off Pujara

13:21 hrs IST: Bouncer and then a glare from Wagner! Good cricket there from the Black Caps medium pacer

13:20 hrs IST: Drinks break!

13:17 hrs IST: This partnership is also close to a half-century along with Pujara.

13:16 hrs IST: Only four runs have come in the last five overs! India 88/3 after 43 overs

13:14 hrs IST: This is an interesting fact. The last time three or more wickets fell in the first session of a Test at Eden Gardens - 6 Pakistan wickets in February 1999. India have lost 3 wickets today.

13:08 hrs IST: India's run rate is just above 2! It has been a slow innings so far.

13:02 hrs IST: But Pujara waits for the correct ball to hit his shot

12:58 hrs IST: Wagner is testing Pujara with a spell of bouncers!

12:53 hrs IST: Wagner returns for another spell. The Kiwis are looking to break this partnership. Pujara is a threat for the visitors.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been in fine form of late.
Photo Credit: BCCI

12:48 hrs IST: India 83/3 after 37 overs!

12:45 hrs IST: That is the view of the Eden from the press box

Could be worse views to get from a press box! Eden Gardens heating up and @BLACKCAPS on top with the ball #IndvNZ pic.twitter.com/1UwXdmi72U

— Clay Wilson (@claywilsonffx) September 30, 2016

12:37 hrs IST: Pujara into 40s with a lovely boundary

12:36 hrs IST: India 71/3 after 33 overs.

12:33 hrs IST: Lovely cover drive for Rahane! His first boundary of the innings.

12:30 hrs IST: Plus this also will be a must watch! Pakistan vs West Indies for a 2019 World Cup berth

12:28 hrs IST: Meanwhile in other news, BCCI's SGM has been adjourned till Saturday! Keep following sports.ndtv.com for updates

12:25 hrs IST: The day has undoubtedly belonged to New Zealand so far

Ross Taylor's BLACKCAPS lose the toss but strike early with the ball at Eden Gardens...
Full story - https://t.co/qLgCRTZogQ INDvNZ ^WN pic.twitter.com/fQ6ZG2EOhY

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

12:20 hrs IST: Pujara also scored a massive century and a double century during the recently concluded Duleep Trophy! Expect him to do well today

12:17 hrs IST: The right-handed has been in form and scored two half centuries in the first Test at Kanpur.

12:12 hrs IST: Pujara is looking solid here. He could convert this into a big one

12:08 hrs IST: In Kohli's last few innings he has scored 3, 4, 9, 18, 9.... something that you don't expect from a batsman of his caliber. Everyone has his bad days... may be this is the time for India's captain but too early to call. He still has three innings ahead of his in this series. 

12:06 hrs IST: There is a major question mark on Kohli's form. He has not been himself of late.

12:03 hrs IST: Pujara and Rahane have a tough task ahead of them.

12:00 hrs IST: Welcome back. The second session is about to begin.

11:43 hrs IST: Take a break folks as we will be back after lunch.

11:40 hrs IST: Brilliant comeback by the Black Caps after losing the first Test.

That's lunch day one in Kolkata! India head to the shed at 57-3, after Matt Henry dismissed the openers and Boult got Kohli #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

11:35 hrs IST: That morning session completely belonged to New Zealand.

11:32 hrs IST: And that is lunch! India are 57/3 after 27 overs!

11:24 hrs IST: With that beautiful boundary, 50 comes up for India... but after a lot of struggle

11:22 hrs IST: Rahane has come out to replace Kohli

Rahane the new man in to join Pujara. India now 46-3 #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

11:20 hrs IST: Is Virat Kohli out of form? Read more here

11:18 hrs IST: Only one man, Pujara, has made it to double figures

11:16 hrs IST: As a result India struggle at 46/3! Not a good session for India so far. But that was some catch by Tom Latham! Stunner, flying to take that catch!

11:14 hrs IST: That looked an out of form shot from Kohli, driving away from his body, a delivery which should have been left.

11:12 hrs IST: OUT!!! Big blow for India! Kohli departs with India at 46!

11:09 hrs IST: Today is Martin Guptill's birthday. Can he make an impact today?

He's a formidable opener who has 4,844 ODI runs for New Zealand and has the 2nd highest ODI score ever - Happy Birthday @Martyguptill! pic.twitter.com/XDKSSeQOyT

— ICC (@ICC) September 30, 2016

11:06 hrs IST: Taylor at first slip did not even go for it!

11:05 hrs IST: That was edged! BJ Watling missed it! Pujara was almost gone!

11:00 hrs IST: India are batting at 37/2 at the end of 20 overs. We are only a few overs away from lunch

10:55 hrs IST: In case you forgot... this is India's 250th Test match at home

10:50 hrs IST: India captain Virat Kohli has begun slowly, only 2 runs off 14 deliveries

10:44 hrs IST: Medium pacer Neil Wagner into the attack

10:40 hrs IST: Ross Taylor has introduced spin in the form of Mitchell Santner

10:30 hrs IST: And that is out! Vijay is out for 9! Henry has picked up his second wicket of the day!

10:28 hrs IST: Something very special happen before the start of play today

Former #TeamIndia Captain @therealkapildev rings the bell to start off proceedings at the Eden Gardens @paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/zJlezQCsgk

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

10:24 hrs IST: Almost one boundary coming per over!

10:20 hrs IST: India have steadied the ship as of now!

10:14 hrs IST: Pujara and Vijay are solidifying their position here. Good solid batting going on! 

10:07 hrs IST: India 15/1 after 7 overs!

10:02 hrs IST: Consecutive boundaries for Pujara!

10:00 hrs IST: Here is a video of the Indian players during the national anthem

JAI HIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/cwPrYfqYVh

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

09:54 hrs IST: Murali Vijay brings in India's first boundary of the day! Beautiful through the covers!

09:49 hrs IST: Cheteshwar Pujara has come in to replace Dhawan

09:45 hrs IST: India lose a wicket in only the second over of the second Test!

09:42 hrs IST: Dhawan is bowled! By Henry! Early blow for India!

09:37 hrs IST: Trent Boult with the ball and good swing for the left-arm pacer right up!

09:35 hrs IST: And it is match time! Shikhar Dhawan opening with Murali Vijay!

09:30 hrs IST: Kapil Dev has rung the bell for the first time at Eden Gardens, making the start of play

09:25 hrs IST: It is time for the national anthems of both the countries. First for the visitors

09:19 hrs IST: Though Gautam Gambhir has been included in the squad, still no place for him in the playing XI!

09:15 hrs IST: Shikhar Dhawan has come in for Lokesh Rahul while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has replaced Umesh Yadav!

09:13 hrs IST: It was New Zealand's Ross Taylor at the toss with India captain Virat Kohli as the Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson is ill and will not play the second Test

India have won the toss and will bat first at Eden Gardens in Kolkata #indvnz ^CE pic.twitter.com/bTi5Mbv7Yd

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

09:12 hrs IST: In big news! India have won the toss and opted to bat! 

#TeamIndia has won the toss and elected to bat first in Kolkata @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/SLMbSEMOO2

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

09:10 hrs IST: Good morning! Eden Gardens it is!

Indian cricket team trains at the Eden Gardens ahead of 2nd Test vs New Zealand.
Photo Credit: PTI

India made a commanding start in their 500th Test match in Kanpur last week. New Zealand showed some fight but India's spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were simply unplayable at Green Park. Ashwin finished with a majestic 10-wicket haul. India could blood off-spinner Jayant Yadav in Kolkata.

Eden Gardens will present a new wicket. It has been re-laid after 12 years and the India vs New Zealand Test will be the first Test on it. Batting first may not be the best choice on a new wicket.

Known to favour batsmen - India have scored 400-plus runs six times in their first innings at Eden Gardens - skipper Virat Kohli will look for a redemption in form but whether Gautam Gambhir gets to play a Test match after two years remains to be seen. Kohli doesn't like to tamper with a winning combination.

New Zealand, like all overseas teams, have an uphill task. India are unbeaten since losing a Test against England in 2012 at Eden. Skipper Kane Williamson's fitness will be crucial to the team's fortunes. The captain skipped training due to a 'bug'.

One man who is almost sure to play is off-spinner Jeetan Patel, who has 175 first-class wickets. He came in from the County circuit as a replacement for injured offie Mark Craig. Patel hasn't played Test cricket since January 2013.