An unbeaten 113-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer (75* off 136) and Ravindra Jadeja (50* off 100) defined India's first innings progress after a fine half-century from Shubman Gill (52 off 93) as the hosts ended the opening day on 258/4 in Kanpur.

Winning the toss and deciding to bat first, India lost an early wicket when Mayank Agarwal nicked one to wicket-keeper Tom Blundell off Kyle Jamieson for just 13 runs. Gill survived a couple of scares as India struggled to make runs flow smoothly. Cheteshwar Pujara (26 off 88) was in his usual zone, taking his own time to open up. Even though the Kiwi bowlers, especially Tim Southee and Jamiseon put the Indian batters through a lot of uncomfortable situations, Gill and Pujara succeeded in keeping the scoreboard ticking without any further loss of wicket in the first session.

At lunch, India were 82/1, with Gill looking in fine form. He plundered five boundaries and a six to compose his fluent 52. However, soon after lunch, he lost his focus and chopped a Jamieson delivery on to his stumps. After Gill, Pujara didn't last long as he was undone by a Southee off-cutter, taking a faint edge to the keeper. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane looked good in his 63-ball 36 which included six boundaries but Jamieson got the prized wicket when Rahane misjudged the variable bounce of the wicket and chopped one on to his stumps.

India looked a little troubled by some quick wickets in the second session but Iyer showed some amazing temperament on his debut. He took on the bowlers from time to time - especially against Rachin Ravindra - and made Jadeja comfortable enough to focus on his game.

The duo made sure India were back in the driver's seat in the final session as they added 102 runs for no wicket. The Iyer-Jadeja show will have to continue for some more time tomorrow as they are the last recognised pair in the line-up and a lot of India's possibility for a strong total will depend on their extended stay at the crease.