Cheteshwar Pujara struck a solid 54 not out on Thursday as India reached 3-182 at tea on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand.

Virat Kohli (32) was the other undefeated batsman as India tried to seize the initiative after pace bowler Trent Boult struck once in each session – removing opener Gautam Gambhir (22) and Sachin Tendulkar (19).

Pujara, looking to cement a regular place in the side after the retirement of stalwarts Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, struck six fours off 124 deliveries.

The 24-year-old batsman got to his second 50 in four Tests with a four through point off left-arm seamer James Franklin.

Earlier, India lost openers Virender Sehwag (47) and Gambhir in the first session.

Sehwag, who struck nine fours off 41 balls, edged a delivery from pace bowler Doug Bracewell to Martin Guptill at second slip.

Sehwag survived two close calls earlier in his innings. On 21, Daniel Flynn ran backwards towards square-leg in a failed attempt to catch a miscued pull by Sehwag off Chris Martin. On 33, wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk and captain Ross Taylor, at first slip, failed to react and let through an edged four off Bracewell.

Sehwag hit Martin for two consecutive fours through the off side on the fifth and sixth deliveries of the over and then smashed two more off the fourth and fifth deliveries of the next over from Bracewell.

Gambhir was the first man out when he edged a delivery from Boult to Van Wyk.

India is playing its first Test since the retirements of Dravid and Laxman, who were batting mainstays for 16 years.

This game is also Tendulkar’s first international appearance after becoming a Member of Parliament.

The second Test will be played in Bangalore from August 31. The Test series will be followed by two Twenty20 games.