India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test, Day 1 — As it happened...

Pujara and Rahane rescued India after New Zealand seamers had run havoc early on Day 1.

New Delhi: Welcome to our Coverage of the second Test between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

---

India 1st Innings:

Over 85 | Score 239/7 | (Saha 14*, Jadeja 0*)

It's STUMPS on Day 1 at Eden Gardens. Courtesy to splendid knocks from Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara, India secure a fine first day total of 239 runs. The Kiwis will look to strike early again on Day 2 just like they did today and wrap up the Indian tail early in the first session.

---

Over 85 | Score 239/7 | (Saha 14*, Jadeja 0*)

Henry sends Ashwin packing as the last recognised batsman - Ravindra Jadeja - walks in. Can India hold on till tomorrow?

R Ashwin lbw b Henry 26 (33b)

---

Over 83 | Score 225/6 | (Ashwin 20*, Saha 6*)

Boult and Henry try to put pressure on Ashwin and Saha hoping to wrap up the Indian innings before the end of Day 1.

---

Over 78 | Score 200/6 | (Ashwin 5*, Saha 0*)

Patel picks up his second of the day! Rahane too fails to secure century after Pujara. Saha and Ashwin the new boys on the pitch.

AM Rahane lbw b Patel 77 (157b​​)

---

Over 74 | Score 195/5 | (Rahane 75*, Ashwin 1*)

India find themselves in the middle of trouble again as Pujara and Rohit depart in quick succession. New Zealand back in the game.

RG Sharma c Latham b Patel 2 (12b​)

---

Over 70 | Score 187/4 | (Rahane 71*, Rohit 0*)

Cheteshwar Pujara's splendid knock comes to an unfortunate end. Neil Wagner picks up India's 4th wicket as Rohit Sharma walks on to the pitch.

CA Pujara c Guptill b Wagner 87 (219b)

---

Over 60 | Score 142/3 | (Pujara 67*, Rahane 50*)

Second session certainly belonged to India with as they claimed 79 runs without conceding a wicket. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane too completes his half-century. India now on track!

---

Over 55 | Score 122/3 | (Pujara 58*, Rahane 39*)

India progressing at steady pace, courtesy brilliant innings from Cheteshwar Pujara​ and Ajinkya Rahane after India had lost both openers and skipper cheaply.

---

Over 47 | Score 106/3 | (Pujara 50*, Rahane 31*)

Half century for Pujara, 50-run partnership for the 4th wicket and 100-up for India. Hosts stabilize after early struggle at Eden Gardens.

---

Over 41 | Score 86/3 | (Pujara 46*, Rahane 15*)

India dealing in 1s and 2s as New Zealand bowlers test batsmen with constant variations. Pujara cautious in his chase for half-century.

---

Over 34 | Score 76/3 | (Pujara 44*, Rahane 7*)

Pujara continue to impress post lunch, nears a confident half-century with Rahane looking convincing too.

---

Over 27 | Score 57/3 | (Pujara 31*, Rahane 2*)

It's LUNCH at Eden Gardens! The first session certainly belongs to New Zealand as their seamers pick up 3 crucial wickets. Can India fight back from here?

---

Over 22 | Score 46/3 | (Pujara 22*, Rahane 0*)

Trent Boult picks up the Indian skipper. India in massive trouble as Kiwi seamers run havoc at Eden Gardens. Ajinkya Rahane walks on to the pitch to replace Kohli.

V Kohli c Latham b Boult 9 (28b)

---

Over 20 | Score 37/2 | (Pujara 22*, Kohli 4*)

Mitchell Santner brought into the attack by Ross Taylor as New Zealand look to shuffle the attack to keep Indian unsettled.

---

Over 12 | Score 28/2 | (Pujara 17*, Kohli 0*)

Both openers fail to shine as New Zealand's Matt Henry picks up his second wicket. Virat Kohli marches on to the pitch hoping to stablize the innings.

M Vijay c Watling b Henry 9 (29b)

---

Over 10 | Score 24/1 | (Vijay 9*, Pujara 13*)

India have been steady in the first 10 overs of play despite Shikhar Dhawan's early fall. Vijay and Pujara have hardly been troubled by the Kiwi bowlers.

---

Over 2 | Score 1/1 | (Vijay 0*, Pujara 0*)

Shikhar Dhawan fails to make the opportunity count, bowled by Karl Henry in the 2nd over itself. Big blow for India.

S Dhawan b Henry 1 (10b)

---

# We are underway at Eden Gardens!

# Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan will be out to bat shortly!

# The big news is that Gautam Gambhir misses out on the final XI with Shikhar Dhawan preferred over the left-hander. Bhuveneshwar Kumar replaces Umesh Yadav in the squad.

# India have elected to bat first after winning the toss at Eden Gardens.

---

India have been virtually unstoppable on home turf in tests with 10 wins and two draws in their last 12 matches. (India vs New Zealand: Full coverage)

The last Test series India lost at home was against England in December 2012.

The day starts with the worst possible news for Kiwis as their captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the Test because of illness. Williamson was reportedly hit by a bug on the eve of the game and did not train with his team-mates.

Team news: Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the BLACKCAPS 2nd Test in Kolkata with illness. Ross Taylor will captain side #indvnz ^CE

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 30, 2016

In his absence, Ross Taylor will lead New Zealand squad, and Henry Nicholls will most likely be Williamson's deputee.

From Indian cricket fans' perspective, all eyes will be on the final XI as it remains to be seen whether Gautam Gambhir – who was recalled following injury to KL Rahul – is included in the squad ahead of Shikhar Dhawan or not.

Gambhir's has all the vital ingridients and experience to make it to the first XI, but Dhawan has been selectors' first choice for the series, hence it would be harsh on Gabbar if he is dropped for the second Test.

Off-spinner Jayant Yadav was also added in the roster following illness to pacer Ishant Sharma, who is stuck with Chikungunya.

Here's the Indian team making their way into the Eden Gardens stadium.

#TeamIndia make their way to the Eden Gardens for the 2nd Test against @BLACKCAPS #INDvNZ @Paytm Test cricket pic.twitter.com/HRlPtEvw0G

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 30, 2016

The match will be started with India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev ringing the bell, resembling the one at Lords cricket ground in London.

Say hello to the bell at Eden Gardens #INDvNZ @Paytm Test Cricket pic.twitter.com/YYtJ6v5zQW

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 29, 2016

Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly's wish to introduce the ritual which takes before a Test match at the hallowed Lords has finally been fulfilled.