Wellington: Pacer Kyle Jamieson had a dream debut picking up 3/38 as India scored 122 for 5 on the rain-curtailed first day of the opening Test against New Zealand here on Friday.
The wet outfield and rain forced early Stumps as only 55 overs were bowled when play was suspended and then eventually called off by umpires after an inspection.
India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane was holding the fort on 38 off 122 balls, hitting four boundaries on a heavy outfield. Rishabh Pant was at the other end on 10.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and opted to bowl on a green Basin Reserve pitch under overcast conditions.
Tim Southee backed his captain's decision with the wicket of Prithvi Shaw (16) as the India opener was dismissed by the pacer in the fifth over.
Test debutant Jamieson then dismissed Cheteshwar Pujara (11) and India skipper Virat Kohli (2) before lunch to leave India reeling. Throughout the ongoing New Zealand tour, Kohli has managed to score just a single fifty across eight innings in all three international formats.
After three early wickets, Mayank Agarwal and Ajinkya Rahane joined hands and made sure India headed to lunch without any further wickets.
However, just when the partnership for the fourth wicket was starting to take shape for India, Mayank was dismissed by Trent Boult. Agarwal (34 off 84 balls), who did the hard work of surviving the first session, was out after lunch as he tried a pull shot off Boult just after surviving a tough caught and bowled chance.
Hanuma Vihari (7) was Jamieson's third victim as he edged a pitched up delivery to nick behind.
Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant were out in the middle as India avoided any further dents to reach 122 for 5 at tea on Day 1. Thunderstorms followed by rain in the middle of the tea break made sure that the third session was washed out on Friday.
Rahane will have a lot of responsibility going into the second day's play. The under-fire Pant is also defending well which is the need of the hour.
Brief Scores:
India 1st Innings: 122 for 5 in 55 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 38 batting, Mayank Agarwal 34, Rishabh Pant 10 batting; Kyle Jamieson 3/38).
(UNI)
