Pujara, Rahane Save India Blushes On Day 1

Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly checked out the Eden Gardens wicket in the morning (All images courtesy AFP and BCCI)

Kapil Dev rang the bell in India's 250th Test at home, marking the start of play

India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat in the second Test. Kane Williamson was down with illness so Ross Taylor was named New Zealand skipper

But it was New Zealand who drew first blood by getting the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay and captain Virat Kohli in the morning session

But Cheteshwar Pujara stuck it out in the middle to put on a gritty knock of 87

Pujara failed to get ideas to dismiss Pujara or Rahane in the second session as the hosts dominated processions

This was Pujara's third half-century in succession after scoring two 50s in both the innings of the first Test

But Neil Wagner finally struck, removing Pujara early in the third session of play on Day 1

Jeetan Patel also clinched two wickets to peg the Indians back

New Zealand picked up four wickets in the last session of play to halt India at 239/7

But had it not been for Pujara and Rahane, the situation could have been much worse for India