Pujara's half-century guides India to 182/3 at tea

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Cheteshwar Pujara struck a fluent unbeaten half-century as India reached 182 for three at tea in their first innings on the opening day of the first cricket Test against New Zealand here on Thursday.

At tea, Pujara was batting on 54 from 121 balls (6x4) while Virat Kohli was giving him fine support with 32 (64b, 4x4) in India's first innings after the hosts elected to bat first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Hailed as the future of Indian cricket after Rahul Dravid, Pujara lived up to the expectations after being elevated to number three, slamming his second half-century in four Tests.

Pujara, who returned to the Test arena after more than a year, did not panic after the dismissal of veteran Sachin Tendulkar (19) as he along with an in-form Virat Kohli repaired the Indian innings.

The Saurashtra batsman, who returned to action after a knee surgery in London, looked fluent as he along with Kohli put on an unbeaten 57-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

They never seemed to be in any trouble against the Kiwi attack, while against the rookie off-spinner Jeetan Patel, they were at ease.

The Indians lost the wicket of Tendulkar in the second session with the addition of 85 runs in 29 overs.

Playing without the retired duo of Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman for the first time in 16 years, India made a brisk start when the opening duo of Gambhir and Sehwag added 49 runs for the first wicket.