Pujara shines, India bowled out for 438

A century partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni put India in a commanding position as the team amassed 438 before being bowled out at the stroke of tea on day two of their opening Test against New Zealand on Friday.

Resuming at 307 for five after a 26-minute delay because of bad weather, India gained from the partnership between Pujara and Dhoni, who put on a fine 127-run partnership for the sixth-wicket.

Pujara was dismissed in the post-lunch session after his brilliant innings of 159 (306 balls, 19x4, 1x6).

Dhoni gave him fine support at the other end with a 73 (147 balls, 6x4, 1x6), the skipper’s 25th half-century in 68 Tests.

Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with a 54-ball 37 (5x4) and shared a 24-run stand with the Dhoni before the skipper got out. India were bundled out after Umesh Yadav ran himself out just ahead of the tea break.

Off-spinner Jeetan Patel became the visitors leading wicket-taker with 4/100, while Trent Boult scalped 3/93. Soon after lunch, Pujara ran out of patience as he stepped out to mistime Patel, as James Franklin took an easy catch.

Dhoni and Zaheer Khan (0) departed in quick successions with India 414 for eight but Ashwin and Ojha frustrated the Kiwis with their dogged approach.