Sehwag, Dravid steer India to a commanding position

Ahmedabad: Virender Sehwag smashed a blistering 173 while Rahul Dravid marked his return to form with a fluent century as India took firm control of the first cricket Test against a hapless New Zealand here today.

Electing to bat, India rode on Sehwag's classy 22nd century and Dravid's 30th ton to pile up an imposing 329 for three at close on the opening day.

Sehwag and Dravid (104) put on a record 237-run partnership for the second wicket against New Zealand to lay the platform for a mammoth first innings total on a batting friendly track at the Sardar Patel Stadium.

They eclipsed the previous record of 204 which stood in the name of Sunil Gavaskar and Surinder Amarnath in Auckland in 1976.

Image: India's Virender Sehwag reacts after scoring a century during the first day of the first Test match against New Zealand in Ahmedabad

Text: PTI
Images: AP

Scorecard | India vs New Zealand