India vs New Zealand, 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights: Mayank Agarwal ton takes India to 221/4 at stumps

Under pressure to prove his worth, Mayank Agarwal made the best statement possible with a superb hundred as India recovered from a sudden top-order collapse to reach 221 for four in two extended opening day sessions against New Zealand in the second Test in Mumbai on Friday. Agarwal (120 batting, 246 balls), who is all but certain to sit out once Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul come back during the next series (if South Africa then away, if West Indies then home), added to a happy headache for coach Rahul Dravid, on a day when vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane had to be "dropped" because of a hamstring niggle. Worse, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli failed to trouble the scorers and it was a hundred that came under pressure with India being 80 for 3 and 160 for 4 at different stages of the game. Had the Indian team management been forced to play Rahane, the axe was likely to fall on Mayank and it's never a great feeling to go out there in such a situation. He was jittery to begin with as a streaky boundary through slips came early on but once he marched down the track to loft Ajaz Patel (29-10-73-4) for a straight six, his nerves had all but vanished. The boundaries --- 14 in all and four sixes, all off Patel showed his class as he got his fourth hundred in Tests. In fact, Ajaz, who was by far the best New Zealand bowler in view, having reduced India from 80 for no loss to 80 for three, did look pedestrian in front of Agarwal at times. When an airborne Agarwal punched the air after a square driven boundary off part-time seamer Daryl Mitchell, one could sense that pressure weighing a thousand tonne must have come off his chest. Agarwal was the first choice opener during the England series but before the first game, he got hit on the head and KL Rahul coming in his place, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. With Rohit also having his best overseas series as Test opener, Agarwal was confined to the reserves. He could again be back in the reserves but he made a statement of intent with his strokeplay as he dominated the 80-run fourth wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer (18). Along with another reserve player in Wriddhiman Saha (25 batting, 53 balls), Agarwal added another 61 runs before the close of play.

That's it! Stumps on Day 1. Ajaz Patel completes the final over of the day. Light was offered to the India batsmen and they have taken it. A cracking contest between bat and ball on the first day of this series-deciding Test. Play was not possible in the first session but after that it has been a solid performance from both the teams. First the India openers getting off to a solid start, then Ajaz Patel rattling the home team with a four-wicket burst and then Mayank scoring a sensational ton and building two 50-plus partnerships with Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha. India end the day at 221 for four with Mayank and Saha going back to the pavilion unbeaten on 120 and 25 respectively.

A flighted delivery from Ajaz Patel and Mayank Agarwal takes on the challenge. Dances down the track and slams the ball over the long-off fence for his fourth maximum. IND 221/4 after 69.5 overs

A tight comeback over from Tim Southee. Just 2 runs came off it. 11 overs still remaining in the day today. But the light has gone down quite a bit now. Maybe another 15-20 more minutes of play still possible. Ajaz Patel to continue from the other end. IND 210/4 after 67 overs

Another sumptuous cover drive from Mayank Agarwal. Daryl Mitchell bowls an over-cooked delivery outside off and Mayank pounces onto that one. Middles the ball and it races to the fence in no time. IND 204/4 after 62.5 overs

Mayank Agarwal 103* | Wriddhiman Saha 21* | Partnership - 40* off 86 balls

A cracking knock from the India opener. A perfect mix of caution and aggression. Mayank provided India with an excellent start and has batted really well to get to his fourth Test century off balls. Wickets fell continuously from the other end but Mayank has kept his cool, keeping one end intact. He has now got to stay in the middle for India at least till the close of play today. Creams a Daryl Mitchell delivery through covers and jumps and punches in the air in celebration. IND 192/4 after 58.1 overs

A nice paddle sweep from Wriddhiman Saha off Rachin Ravindra as he adds four easy runs to his and India's total. Cleverly played! IND 186/4 after 57.3 overs

Over-cooked wide outside off from Kyle Jamieson. Wriddhiman Saha gets to the pitch of the ball and creams it through covers to pick up four runs. IND 177.4 after 54.5 overs

Good, safe shot from Wriddhiman Saha. Opens his account after facing 17 balls with a maximum down the ground off Ajaz Patel. IND 172/4 after 53.4 overs

New Zealand bowlers looking to contain the run-scoring at the moment. Just 5 runs have been scored in the last 5 overs by Mayank Agarwal and Wriddhiman Saha. Both Ajaz patel and Kyle Jamieson bowling at tight line and lengths. A one-run over from Jamieson comes to an end. Ajaz to continue from the other end.

Another maiden from Ajaz Patel. Wriddhiman Saha has been promoted to no.5 and his is in the middle alongside Mayank Agarwal, trying to steady this wobbling India ship. However, Mayank (85*) on the other end is looking very comfortable and inching closer to his fourth Test ton. Kyle Jamieson to continue from the other end.

Wicket no.4 for Ajaz Patel. A superb comeback from him after getting hit for a boundary previous-ball. A bat-pad from Shreyas Iyer and the ball goes straight up. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell completes an easy catch. Shreyas falls for 18. An 80-run partnership between Iyer and Mayank Agarwal also comes to an end. IND 160/4 after 47.4 overs

Swept and swept hard! A nice half-volley from Ajaz Patel and Shreyas Iyer plays a cracking sweep to add four more to his and India's total.

Mayank Agarwal 81* | Shreyas Iyer 14*

0 2 6 B4 0 0 - William Somerville replaces Tim Southee and straightaway leaks 12 runs in his first over after the break. Ajaz Patel to continue from the other end for New Zealand. IND 114/3 after 45 overs

Mayank Agarwal taking on the spinners. He this time advances down the track against William Somerville abd slices the ball over the long-off fence for a maximum. IND 140/3 after 44.2 overs