Indian bowlers peg back Kiwis on opening day

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Nagpur: Indian bowlers responded splendidly to their captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's call of rising to the occasion as they pegged back New Zealand to 148 for seven after a curtailed first day's play of the third and final cricket Test here today.

Only 56 overs of play was possible as the match started at 12:30 pm due to wet outfield. But the Indians more than made it up for the lost time with some disciplined bowling effort.

At stumps, Brendon McCullum, who battled a severe back pain throughout his innings, was batting on 34 (80 balls, 3x4) in company of Tim Southee (7). The only other notable Kiwi contributor was Jesse Ryder who hit an useful 59.

India's new ball duo of S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma blew away the New Zealand top-order to set the tone as the hosts looked like going for the kill to win the series.

Text: PTI

Images: AP

Image: India's S. Sreesanth, center, celebrates with teammates the dismissal of New Zealand's Martin Guptill, not seen, during the first day of their last cricket test match, in Nagpur, India, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010.

Scorecard | India vs New Zealand