Pujara, Dhoni put India in command over NZealand

HYDERABAD, India (AFP) –

Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara plays a shot during the opening day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad on August 23, 2012. Pujara and Mahendra Singh Dhoni strengthened India’s dominant position against New Zealand

Cheteshwar Pujara and Mahendra Singh Dhoni strengthened India’s dominant position against New Zealand on Friday in the opening Test in Hyderabad.

Pujara (151 not out) and skipper Dhoni (61 not out) have so far added 111 for the unfinished sixth-wicket stand to help their team reach 371-5 in their first innings at lunch on the second day.

India added 64 runs to their overnight total of 307-5 after a delayed start due to bad weather.

Dhoni, who was 29 not out on Thursday, completed his half-century when he turned paceman Doug Bracewell to mid-wicket for three runs. He has so far hit one six and five fours in his 25th Test half-century.

Pujara, 119 overnight, continued to gather runs comfortably against the New Zealand attack, having so far cracked one six and 18 fours in his 282-ball knock.

The 24-year-old, who replaced retired Rahul Dravid at number three, played some handsome shots as he hit two fours in an over from left-arm paceman Trent Boult and then pulled Bracewell for a boundary to reach 150.