Team India after being sent into bat first by the New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson, had a great first hour owing to some spectacular shot-making by the openers Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Some wayward bowling from Tim Southee and Trent Boult didn't help as both the openers feasted on anything loose in the World Test Championship final in Southampton.

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The duo stitched a 50-run partnership and were looking to impose themselves on the Kiwis before the most dangerous-looking bowler on the day, Kyle Jamieson struck with the scalp of Rohit. A fuller-length delivery just outside off forced Rohit to play at it, but only got a thick outside edge into the hands of diving Tim Southee, who took a brilliant catch as India lost their first wicket on 62/1.

One brought two as the workhorse Neil Wagner got his first wicket in his very first over through a slightly incoming ball, forcing Shubman Gill to have a poke at it edging straight into the hands of the wicket-keeper BJ Watling, who is playing his last Test match.

After which, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli led India to the lunch with no further hiccups, meanwhile the latter played sumptuous cover drive before India finished the first session of the game at 69/2.