3rd Test: Kohli's century puts India in control on Day 1

STUMPS - DAY 1

 India 267-3 (90 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Captain Virat Kohli hit an unbeaten century to guide India to 267 for three on Day 1 of the third and final Test vs NZ in Indore.

Kohli was unbeaten on a superb innings of 103, having hit 10 fours in his 191-ball knock, while Rahane was not out on 79 at stumps on the opening day.

The duo were involved in an unbroken stand of 167 from 325 balls for the fourth wicket as India didn't lose a single wicket for almost two sessions to make most of winning the toss and electing to bat first.

India scored 199 runs from 34 overs without losing a wicket in the post-tea session to put themselves in the driver's seat on the opening day.

 India 267-3 (90 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

India have done well against the new ball, scoring 28 runs from five overs before NZ bring in spin in the form of Santner.

Rahane plays a forceful drive through the covers but can't beat the fielder before he plays the flick shot but hits the fielder at short leg. He finds the gap off the last ball for a single which helps him retain strike.

Henry keeps bowling short to Rahane, who offers no shot to the first three balls before pulling the fourth on the leg side for one.

Patel comes into the attack to replace Santner, who bowled just one over with the second new ball. He bowls a quiet over conceding just two singles before Santner is brought on from the other end.

The left-arm spinner drops one short as Rahane whips it through midwicket for a four in the penultimate over of the day.

Patel bowls the final over of the day which India successfully see off to end a good first day for the hosts.

 India 257-3 (85 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

A few overs from the two spinners before the second new ball is available as India reach 229 for three in 80 overs.

Kohli has inched closer to his century, he is looking in control on 86 from 165 balls, while Rahane is on 58 from 138 balls with the duo having put on 129 runs for the fourth wicket so far.

New Zealand take the new ball immediately as Henry is called into the attack. Kohli watchfully defends the first five balls before taking a single from the last ball to keep strike.

Boult from the other end as he starts with a slightly short ball which Kohli turns on the leg side for one to take his score to 88, the highest score of the series so far.

The next ball is overpitched as Rahane drives it straight down the ground past mid-on for a four followed by four more singles as Boult continues to bowl it on the pads as Kohli moves into the 90s.

The brand new ball also bringing about some boundaries. Rahane looks to steer a short ball to thirdman but gets an edge which flies over the slips for a four. He looks to change gears as he top edges a pull shot but it falls safely on the leg side behind square.

Rahane tries the ramp shot against Henry but the short ball kept following him and cramped him for room as he misses the intended shot over the keeper.

Rahane has perhaps lost a bit of focus as he looks to play an unusual shot which hits his gloves and goes on the bounce to the fielder at first slip.

This time Henry produces an edge off Kohli but it goes past the slips for a four to take him to 98. He then pulls a short ball to deep midwicket for a single and just one run away from his century.

Rahane also attempts the pull but gets only a single to fine leg fielder.

Meanwhile, Kohli is keen to complete his century as he takes a quick single on the off-side and escapes a close run out chance. The fielder at point got a direct hit but Kohli's dive saw him make the crease to complete the hundred from 184 balls, having hit 10 fours.

This is Kohli's 13th Test century and his fourth in India, his sixth as the India captain and third against New Zealand.

This is the first century of the series and it took a special effort from a special batsman to get the landmark to put India in control on Day 1 after they had elected to bat after winning the toss.

 India 216-3 (77 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

It's has gone quite dark in Indore forcing the floodlights to be switched on. Neesham drags Kohli forward as he drives at a wide outswinger only to get an edge which goes between the wicketkeeper and the wide slip for a four to raise the 100-run stand for the fourth wicket from 214 balls.

That four also brings up India's 200, in the 72nd over.

New Zealand content to bowls a few quiet overs before the second new ball is available so their pacers can have another crack before stumps.

Rahane gets to his half-century in some style as he comes down the track and swings Patel against the line over midwicket for a six. A rare display of aggression from Rahane, who gets to the fifty-run mark from 123 balls.

 India 194-3 (70 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Fast bowlers from both ends as Boult is called back into the attack. He bowls a full delivery on the pads which Kohli flicks in some style through square leg for a four.

After initially having a few problems with the short balls Rahane looking quite comfortable now against the pacers. Henry drifts one on the pads as Rahane clips it fine on the leg side for a four and in the next over he drives Santner through the covers for the same result.

The short ball is bouncing unevenly as Rahane again takes a hit on the body trying to avoid it.

After 70 overs India are 194 for three with Kohli on 69 and Rahane on 41.

 India 174-3 (64 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Kohli is confident enough to play Neesham on the up through the covers, and gets a boundary in the process.

In the next over, Rahane comes down the track and lofts Patel back over his head for a four.

Neesham gettting a bit of reverse as Kohli gets a thick inside edge and falls close to the fielder at short midwicket.

Neesham again troubles Rahane with a fast bouncer as he is again hit on the forearm guard before the catch is taken by the wicketkeeper. Rahane yet again takes his eye off the bouncer as he looks to evade it.

The next ball swings away from Rahane, who plays a loose shot away from his body and is lucky not to have edged it.

A top over from Neesham, who is getting some reverse and creating some problems for the Indian batsmen.

Henry replaces Neesham and even he continues pepper Rahane with short balls. He defends one before nudging one off his gloves fine on the leg side for a four.

 India 157-3 (59 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Patel to resume the post-tea session on Day 1 as India pick three singles from the first over of the session to go past the 150-run mark and also bring up the 50-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Neesham from the other end which is a surprise considering that playing a non-specialist bowler would only help the two batsmen to get their eye in and settled at the start of a session.

Neesham's first over of the session is easily dealt off before Kohli brings up his half-century in the next over from Patel.

Kohli slaps Patel through the covers for two runs to bring up his fifty from 108 balls, his 13th half-century in Tests.

TEA - DAY 1

 India 148-3 (56 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Patel comes back for a new spell, replacing Henry as he has a confident appeal for caught at short leg against Kohli turned down. That was clearly off the pads as Kohli looked to turn it on the leg side.

Boult produces a false shot off Rahane, who top edges the pull shot but Henry at deep square leg misjudges it completely as it bounces just short and goes for a four.

However, he is in total control in Boult's next over, steering a wide delivery past the point region for a four.

Kohli has a close shave as he edges Patel but it goes between the wicketkeeper and first slip fielder for a four to take him into the 40s.

Boult to bowl the final over of the session. Kohli takes a single from the first ball before Rahane shuts shop and plays out the rest of the over.

At tea on Day 1, India have reached 148 for three in 56 overs.

Kohli is batting on 45 from 102 balls, while Rahane has made 19 from 56 balls with the duo putting on 48 runs for the fourth wicket so far.

It was a evenly fought session for both teams as 73 runs were scored from 30 overs for the loss of one wicket.

 India 126-3 (49 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Santner gets one to rip and turn as Kohli comes forward to defend but is beaten as the ball spins past the edge of the bat. Things already happening for the spinners and that too on Day 1 of the match.

Surprisingly, Patel, who was in the midst of a good spell is taken off the attack and replaced by pacer Henry. Maybe it could be due to the overhead conditions which has gone overcast.

Rahane tucks the third ball on the leg side for a single to bring up his 2000 runs in Test cricket, from 29 matches at an average of 47.

Henry bowls a very good bouncer as Rahane is struck on the forearm trying to evade it as the ball is caught at slips but umpire Kumara Dharmsena turns down the appeal.

The chants of 'Kohli Kohli' fill the Holkar stadium as the right-hander goes back and flicks Santner through midwicket for a four which takes his score to 32.

Henry attempts a short ball to Kohli but the ball doesn't bounce much and is easily pulled through midwicket for a four as he continues to grow in confidence.

 India 111-3 (41 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

In the next over, Kohli eases some nerves in the dressing room as he plays a cracking straight drive off Patel, beating mid-off for a four.

New batsman Ajinkya Rahane gets off the mark with a single, punching Patel against the line through the off-side for one.

Patel in the middle of a good spell, probing away at the two batsmen, making them work hard even while defending with his constant shuffle of line and length.

He gets Kohli to get a bat-pad as it turns big but it falls safely and then one goes straight on as the Indian captain plays for the turn and is beaten.

Kohli takes a single from the last ball as India go into the drinks break at 111 for three in 41 overs.

It has been a difficult session for Kohli so far after lunch, scoring 26 from 55 balls, while Rahane is on one.

 India 100-3 (36 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Nothing much happening in the first 30 minutes of the post lunch session with New Zealand looking to keep it tight while both Kohli and Pujara are content to bide their time and get settled.

Patel gets one to turn big as Pujara goes back to cut it and nearly inside edges it back on to his stumps.

A few lacklustre overs from Neesham before he makes way for Santner. Kohli turns the third ball to square leg and collects a quick single. The next ball is short as Pujara goes back and pulls it square on the leg side for a four.

Pujara comes down the track to Patel and is beaten but is lucky that he got an edge which goes past the slip fielder for a four.

Pujara was looking shaky for the last few overs and not surprisingly he ends up losing his wicket, playing another nervous shot.

Santner bowls a superb delivery which goes straight on as Pujara plays down the wrong line, trying to defend it from the crease, but is beaten and is bowled for 41.

An important wicket for New Zealand just at the right time as India are reduced to 100 for three in 36 overs.

 India 81-2 (29 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Spin to kick off proceedings after the lunch break with Patel coming into the attack, to bowl against Kohli, who will be keen to play a big innings and end his run of low scores in the recent past.

Kohli drives the fifth ball to long-on for an easy single before Pujara steers the last ball past the slip fielder for three runs.

Neesham to bowl from the other end. The first ball moves away slightly as Pujara has a poke at it but is beaten before he sees off the rest of the over.

In the next over, Kohli survives a huge shout for leg before wicket against Patel. The Indian skipper played back to a full delivery and was beaten by the turn but is lucky that the impact was well outside the off-stump.

LUNCH - DAY 1

 India 75-2 (26 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Virat Kohli gets off the mark in grand style as he plays a beautiful drive through the covers for a four off Boult.

He picks a single from the next ball and Pujara keeps strike with another run from the last ball.

All-rounder Jimmy Neesham comes into the attack, to bowl the 24th over. Two singles from the first two balls before Kohli watchfully defends the rest of the over.

With around 10 minutes left for lunch, New Zealand bring back as Patel gets another spell.

Pujara has shut shop as he defends cautiously against the off-spinner before keeping strike with a single to long-on off the last ball.

Neesham to bowl the final over of the session. He starts with a full toss which Pujara hits through midwicket to get a boundary before defending the rest of the over.

At lunch on Day 1, India are 75 for two in 26 overs with Pujara on 29 from 71 balls and Kohli on seven.

 India 60-2 (20 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

It's pace from both ends as New Zealand look keen to get a wicket or two before bringing back their spinners with the pitch not offering anything to the bowlers so far.

Gambhir has looked solid and has settled down quite nicely after getting off to a fiery start with a flurry of boundaries at the start of his innings.

Boult from round the wicket gets one to cut in sharply, striking Pujara on the pads but the confident appeal is turned down with the impact well outside the off-stump.

The right-hander steals a quick single with a soft tap on the off-side with Gambhir also responding quickly to the call.

Gambhir collects another quick single before Pujara flicks Boult through square leg for his third four, the first boundary after nearly six overs.

A single for Pujara before Boult gets the wicket of Gambhir, trapping him leg before wicket for 29.

A full delivery which swings in as Gambhir is caught on the crease looking to defend and is struck right in front of the stumps.

After 20 overs, India are 60 for two with Pujara unbeaten on 21.

 India 50-1 (13 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Patel has a huge appeal for LBW turned down against Gambhir, who looks to defend one on the leg stump but is beaten by the turn. He is looking quite confident against the spinners and having gotten off to a start, he would be keen to carry it forward and play a big knock on his comeback.

After a few overs from the spinners, New Zealand bring back pacers from both ends.

Boult bowls a good tight over to Pujara, who as always, is very watchful at the start of his innings.

Henry back from the other end as he bowls a good yorker to Gambhir, who does well to keep it out. The next ball is again full but this time it is flicked to fine leg for a single.

Henry overpitches to Pujara, who plays a good drive through the covers for a four. He steers the next ball through the vacant thirdman region for another boundary, he looked to be in control of the shot as he deliberately steered it fine.

India have made a good start as they reach 50 for one in 13 overs with Gambhir on 28 and Pujara on 12.

 India 41-1 (10 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Cheteshwar Pujara gets off the mark with a single on the off-side off Patel before Gambhir continues his good start as he late cuts a short ball through the thirdman region for a four, he is batting on 24 from 20 balls.

The two spinners looking to create some pressure with a few tight overs by drying up the boundaries.

Gambhir looking very confident as he takes a good stride forward and drive Santner through the covers for three runs as India reach 41 for one after 10 overs.

 India 30-1 (6 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

New Zealand introduce spin early as off-spinner Jeetan Patel comes into the attack in place of Boult, who bowled just two overs with the new ball.

He strikes in his very first over with the wicket of Vijay, who is caught at short leg for 10.

Vijay flicks it off the middle but ends up hitting it straight to Tom Latham at short leg, who to his credit stays low and does well to hold on to that one. What a good catch by the fielder as he didn't flinch despite seeing the batsmen hit it straight towards him but kept his eyes on the ball and came up with a stunning reflex catch.

And that forces New Zealand to bring spinners from both ends in the first half an hour as Mitchell Santner comes in from the other end.

The third ball is down the leg side as Gambhir glances it fine for a four before he is beaten as he goes after a wide delivery but fails to make connection.

 India 26-0 (4 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

Boult overpitches as Vijay plays a beautiful drive through the covers for his first boundary. Two balls later, the left-arm pacer drops it short and this time Vijay hits it square through the off-side for another boundary.

Immediately, New Zealand position a fielder in the deep on the off-side to stop the flow of boundaries so early into the contest on Day 1.

Gambhir on fire at the moment. Henry drops short as Gambhir pulls it square over the leg side for a six. The next ball is again short and Gambhir again goes for the pull, this time getting it over the fine leg fence for another maximum.

India are off and running as they race to 26 for no loss in four overs with Gambhir hitting 16 from 11 balls, all in boundaries with two sixes and a four.

 India 6-0 (2 ovs) vs NZ | Scorecard

34-year-old Gambhir back in India whites walks out to open the batting with Murali Vijay to a huge cheer from the fans.

Trent Boult to open the bowling as he starts with a full delivery which shapes in slightly and is defended by Vijay with a straight bat. Immediately, there seems to be a problem with the ball as the seams looks to have damaged a bit after just one ball and the umpires replace it with another new ball.

Vijay gets off the mark with a single from the last ball which also gives him the strike for the next ball.

Matt Henry to bowl the second over. Vijay picks up another single courtesy of an overthrow to bring Gambhir on strike for the first time in the match. The left-hander, batting with a new open stance, lets the first two deliveries go through.

A short ball from Henry is defended on the off-side by Gambhir before the veteran lashes a short wide delivery through point for the first four of the match.

A big day for cricket fans in Indore as Holkar Cricket Stadium, which was formerly known as Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground, becomes India's 22nd Test venue.

India have already clinched the three-match series 2-0 courtesy of victories in Kanpur and Kolkata.

This is Gambhir's first Test after a long wait of two years, having last played against England at the Oval in August 2014.

Welcome to the coverage of the third and final Test between India and New Zealand in Indore on Saturday.

Virat Kohli's love affair with the toss continues as he wins his third straight toss and has no hesitation in electing to bat.

India have made two changes with Gautam Gambhir making a comeback to the Indian team after two years in place of the injured Shikhar Dhawan, while Umesh Yadav takes the place of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who also misses out because of injury.

For New Zealand, captain Kane Williamson, who missed the second match because of injury, is back to lead the side as he takes the place of Henry Nicholls, while all-rounder Jimmy Neesham replaces Neil Wagner.