Opener Mayank Agarwal scored a sparkling hundred as the hosts ended Day 1 of the opening test in a commanding position at 221/4 against New Zealand in Mumbai on Friday.
India made 3 changes in playing XI with Virat Kohli, Jayant Yadav and Mohammed Siraj coming in place of Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma, while New Zealand brought in Daryl Mitchell for Kane Williamson.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the opening pair of Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal got India off to a fantastic start. The duo added 80 runs for the opening wicket before the former edged a Ajaz Patel delivery to Ross Taylor at slip for 44.
Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli fell cheaply as the hosts slumped to 80/3. Agarwal alongside Shreyas Iyer brought the innings back on track with a valuable 80 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter (18) inside edged a left arm spinner delivery onto this thigh pad and was caught behind the stumps.
The 30 year old Agarwal and Wriddhiman Saha featured in an unbeaten 60 run stand for the fifth wicket. The Karnataka opener reach his hundred in style, with a beautiful cover drive off Daryl Mitchell.
At stumps, India reached 221/4 with Mayank (120*) and Wriddhiman Saha (25*) batting at the crease.
For New Zealand left arm spinner Ajaz Patel was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/73.
Stumps at the end of Day 1
India 1st innings 221/4- (Mayank Agarwal 120*, Shubman Gill 44, Wriddhiman Saha 25* )