Indian captain Virat Kohli hit the first century of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand as his team finished the first day of the third Test in Indore on 267/3.
It was a flawless innings from Kohli who had not got a big score since his double century against West Indies in July. He started off slowly, preferring to defend but upped the ante in the third session. Along with Ajinkya Rahane at the other end, he stabilised the Indian innings and soon brought out his dazzling array of shots, motoring to 103 at stumps. Like some of his best knocks, the majority of his runs came through the singles and doubles, with Kohli hitting only ten fours in his knock.
At the other end, his vice-captain Rahane proved the perfect foil, on his way to 79. It was not the most technically perfect knock — the Indian vice-captain was often caught out of position with the short ball and on two occasions, was lucky that a top-edge off an attempted pull did not fall in the hands of a waiting fielder. On the front foot though, he was sublime, getting the boundaries almost at will. The partnership between Kohli and Rahane stood at an unbeaten 167, saving India the blushes after they were 100/3.
Brief scores:
India 267/3 (Virat Kohli 103 not out, Ajinkya Rahane 79 not out; Mitchell Santner 1/53) v New Zealand
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