Pujara, Rahane and Henry star on hard-fought day

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Sep-2016New Zealand suffered a massive early blow: Kane Williamson was unwell and had to sit out the match. Ross Taylor, standing in as captain, lost the toss, and India batted•BCCIShikhar Dhawan made India’s playing XI ahead of Gautam Gambhir, in place of the injured KL Rahul. But he did not last long, chopping on off Matt Henry for 1•Associated PressOn a pitch with some bounce and a sprinkling of grass, New Zealand continued to hold sway, but Cheteshwar Pujara was firm at his end, even getting away a fab straight drive•Associated PressHenry was not done yet though: he produced a peach, getting one to angle in and straighten, to have M Vijay edge behind•Associated PressTrent Boult bowled a typically testing spell, and was rewarded with the wicket of Virat Kohli, who was caught off a loose stroke outside off•BCCIJeetan Patel was called into the Test XI for the first time in over three years, and he too kept India in check – he had an edge off Pujara split the keeper and slip•BCCIIn general, though, Pujara was solid, holding India’s innings together with 31 not out in a total of 57 for 3 going into lunch•BCCIPujara found support in Ajinkya Rahane, who struck some pleasing fours of his own•Associated PressThe pair frustrated New Zealand and established some control for India, batting through the middle session to take them to 136 for 3 by tea•BCCIEventually Neil Wagner broke the stand, after they had added 141, getting Pujara to hit to short cover. Patel then got Rohit Sharma cheaply and Rahane soon after•BCCIAs the light faded, Henry took a third, R Ashwin lbw, to help New Zealand nose ahead on a tough day. India ended on 239 for 7•BCCI