Cheteshwar Pujara, brought in as a replacement for Rahul Dravid, struck his maiden Test century to put India in command on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday.
Scorecard
Pujara's unbeaten 119 took the hosts to 307 for five at the close after winning the toss. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) was the other not-out batsman.
Batting in the number three spot vacated by the recently-retired Dravid, the 24-year-old Pujara displayed a cool temperament akin to his predecessor as he came in for his fourth Test match and his first since January 2011.
He hit 15 fours and a six during his 226-ball stay and added 125 for the fourth wicket with Virat Kohli (58) to help India overcome the loss of Gautam Gambhir (22), Virender Sehwag (47) and Sachin Tendulkar (19).
Pujara, who survived a close caught-behind call towards the end of the day, also shared an unbroken 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Dhoni after the team lost Kohli and Suresh Raina (three) in quick succession.
Scorecard
Pujara's unbeaten 119 took the hosts to 307 for five at the close after winning the toss. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (29) was the other not-out batsman.
Batting in the number three spot vacated by the recently-retired Dravid, the 24-year-old Pujara displayed a cool temperament akin to his predecessor as he came in for his fourth Test match and his first since January 2011.
He hit 15 fours and a six during his 226-ball stay and added 125 for the fourth wicket with Virat Kohli (58) to help India overcome the loss of Gautam Gambhir (22), Virender Sehwag (47) and Sachin Tendulkar (19).
Pujara, who survived a close caught-behind call towards the end of the day, also shared an unbroken 47-run stand for the sixth wicket with Dhoni after the team lost Kohli and Suresh Raina (three) in quick succession.
