New Zealand strike back against India in 500th Test

New Zealand bowlers struck back with three wickets to have India at 185 for four after half-centuries from Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara in the first Test in Kanpur on Thursday.

In India's 500th Test, Vijay (65) and Pujara put on 112 runs for the second wicket before New Zealand's bowlers restricted the hosts' scoring before tea.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, who accounted for opener Lokesh Rahul before lunch, broke the dangerous stand by snaring Pujara caught and bowled for 62.

Vijay continued to thwart the bowling attack as New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson juggled his pace and spin options to keep the batsmen guessing.

His move paid off when medium-pacer Neil Wagner claimed Indian skipper Virat Kohli's scalp, after the dangerous batsman pulled at a bouncer and was caught at long-leg for nine.

New Zealand's leg-spinner Ish Sodhi also played a key role, claiming the wicket of Vijay, who had notched up his 13th Test fifty, just before the tea break.

Ajinkya Rahane was on 12 and Rohit Sharma was yet to score at the break.

After India won the toss and elected to bat at Kanpur's Green Park, Rahul gave India a solid start with a 39-ball 32 that entertained the raucous home crowd.

A host of former Indian Test captains including Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are among those in the crowd to celebrate the milestone match.

Source: AFP