5.20 pm A fine effort from India. They knew this pitch would slow down, that it would take turn. They've got the four spin options to exploit that and now they have a solid total backing them. Rohit Sharma was a key figure in getting this 269, using his power to get the maximum out of his strokes on a pitch where strokeplay wasn't all that easy. He made 70 off 65 balls while battling a leg injury. Virat Kohli made an entirely different kind of half-century. It had only two fours and a six, and yet he maintained a strike-rate of 85.

His wicket, and prior to that MS Dhoni's and Manish Pandey's gave New Zealand an opportunity to try and bring the runs down. They asked their fast bowlers to use offcutters, and pitch them short because that would mean the batsman has to make all the pace himself. Mitchell Santner was terrific with his left-arm spin again, giving away 38 in his 10 overs while also picking up a wicket. Sodhi was a bit more expensive, giving away 66 in his full quota. As one of our followers pointed out, that could be the difference on a pitch that makes spin king.

Another key reason for India to feel good about themselves is the 70 runs their lower-middle order has been able to put up in the final 10 overs. A lower-middle order that is still finding its feet. One of the men responsible, Kedhar Jadhav, says "It's always instinctive game, I play. Today's wicket has no pace, it's turning as well. So we had to reconsider our target. We thought about 280-290 when Rohit was out there. When I came out to bat, we knew 270 would be good. We have three quality spinners, and then me as well, so pretty solid total. It is difficult, but that is why you prepare in the nets. There I play my shots straight away because in a match, I need to do the same"

Purvesh: "Pretty sure NZ will come all guns blazing knowing very well that the pitch will become slower. MSD will open with Axar at one end & Umesh at the other. Ross Taylor will make a century but NZ will lose by a 20-25 runs."

Patel: "Good total, but the new ball is crucial which is easier to score. India need to find those openers who can start with around 55-65 runs in their first 10 over, not around 40 and then throw your wkt. "

Pomil Proch: "It is a very competitive total. This should go down to the wire. With spinners doing the task and Bumrah getting it spot on and hopefully no dew, we should be in a for a classic at Vizag. More importantly, the slow grinding low score chase, worth dying for." Uh... speak for yourself...

Jayant Yadav on India debut out to face Boult