Virat Kohli, India's captain, made the most of an easy-paced surface to score his 13th Test ton that guided his side to an impressive 267 for 3 at stumps on day one of the third Test against New Zealand in Indore on Saturday.
The curator at Holkar Stadium produced a surface laden with cracks and Kohli, after winning his seventh successive toss in Tests, said that the pitch would aid batsmen on the first two days of the Test.
Kohli's prediction was spot on, as he joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane to propel the hosts to a commanding total against a team strengthened by the return of their captain, Kane Williamson, who had missed the second Test in Kolkata due to illness. Williamson introduced spin in the fifth over after his seamers failed to extract early bite. The move paid off as Jeetan Patel struck in his first over to dismiss opener Murali Vijay for 10. India went to lunch at 75 for 2 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Kohli at the crease.
Mitchell Santner accounted for a well-set Pujara after the hosts had reached the 100-run mark. His dismissal was to be the last of India's setbacks on the first day, as Kohli and Rahane dropped anchor.
Kohli came into the Test with scores of 44, 3, 4, 9, 18, 9 and 45 in his last seven Test innings. He needed to find form and he did. In Indore, he was solid in defence and used the depth of the crease well against the spinners. What helped him was that he avoided playing extravagant shots that cost him his wicket in the earlier Tests. He didn't offer any clear chances, and the two times he edged the ball, it eluded the fielders.
He brought up his 50 from 108 balls, shortly after tea. Kohli and Rahane added 167 runs in the 54 overs they batted together. Kohli's unbeaten 103, that came from 191 balls, included ten fours. His partner, Rahane, ended the day with an unbeaten 79.
The 18,000-strong crowd, present at Holkar Stadium, hosting it's first ever Test match, were treated to an impressive batting display from India's top order - led by Kohli. India will now look to further compound New Zealand's woes, on the second day, by adding to the already sizeable first-innings total.