Virender Sehwag provided the fireworks before Diwali for India with a run-a-ball half century to take the home team to 239 for one after lunch on the opening day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera here today.
The swashbuckling Sehwag was at his belligerent best on a batsman-friendly track and thoroughly exposed the thinness of the Kiwi attack to remain unbeaten on 152 in 171 balls with 22 fours.
Giving Sehwag company at the crease at lunch on the first day was one-down Rahul Dravid (62). Sehwag helped India get off to a flying start after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat. The right-hander stitched a 60-run stand in only 12 overs with opening partner Gautam Gambhir before the latter departed.
But after Gambhir's dismissal the second wicket pair had already raised 67 runs in only 18 overs by the interval and Sehwag stands 13 runs short of what would be his 22nd century.
The Kiwi attack, barring skipper Daniel Vettori, was put to the sword by Sehwag who batted in a forthright manner. Sehwag and Gambhir, back in the team after missing the previous Test against Australia last month at Bangalore, saw off the first two overs with the new ball.
Sehwag then set the tone by spanking lanky Chris Martin, playing an international game after seven months, for three fours in the third over. He exerted his mastery over Martin by driving the bowler through the covers, straight or slashing him for fours.
Sehwag was ruthless on Jeetan Patel too as he greeted the off-spinner with a lofted drive for four to raise his 24th half century in 49 balls. The lone bowler to keep the swashbuckler quiet was left-arm spinner Vettori, playing in his 100th Test, who brought out a few false strokes from Sehwag's bat. The New Zealand skipper bowled a splendid first spell of seven overs giving away just 16 runs.
Gambhir (21), on other hand, was scratchy initially and survived a confident leg before shout from debutant Hamish Bennett before settling down to give his more aggressive partner good support as the duo raised the 50 off the innings in the 12th over.
Gambhir, who hit three fours in his 49-ball knock, was sent back just at the stroke of the first hour by burly Jesse Ryder, who lured the left-hander into a drive only to castle through his gate.
Sehwag and Dravid, who came into the match with a lean spell of runs, then took the score past the 100 mark without facing any difficulties in the 22nd over. Vettori, easily the pick of the Kiwi attack, gave way to Martin for the latter's second spell when half an hour remained for lunch break.
But the Indian duo was hardly troubled as they raised the 50-run stand for the second wicket in only 48 minutes with Sehwag lofting Patel straight and sweeping the slow bowler for successive fours.
Scoreboard at lunch on the opening day of the first Test between India and New Zealand here today.
India (1st innings):
Gautam Gambhir b Ryder 21
Virender Sehwag batting 152
Rahul Dravid batting 61
Extras:(B-4, LB-1, NB-2) 7
Total: (for one wkt in 62 overs) 243
Fall of wicket: 1-60.
Bowling: Martin 12-1-45-0, Bennett 10-1-24-0, Vettori 19-1-52-0, Ryder 8-1-38-1, Patel 9-1-64-0.