A don't-know-what-to-make-of-it-pitch, a tricky position and an inspired New Zealand are what India need to overcome on day two of this intriguing Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Having let a decent advantage slip in the final session of the opening day, India have a lot of work to do if they are to get to a position of strength.
After winning the toss, Virat Kohli's choice to bat first looked like the right one, but an iffy start and a poor finish, sandwiched by a century stand between Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, means India are the ones who need to make the running on the second day of this second Test match.
Get the score updates of the 2nd Test, Day 2 HERE
At stumps, India finished on 239/7 in 86 overs, and while anything over 200 is not a bad score on this two-paced, new-ball-does-a-lot-of-things wicket, the home team will know, to be able to put the pressure on the Kiwis, they need to get, at least, past 300.
That won't be easy, even if India have decent batsmen in Wriddhiman Saha and Ravindra Jadeja at the crease, because the ball is still quite new and Trent Boult, Matt Henry and the rest of the New Zealand bowlers will run in with renewed vigour.
The longer the India batsmen keep the Black Caps on the field in this heat and humidity in Kolkata, though, the better for them, and bringing out the frustration that creeps in when you fail to knock off the tail should be India's plan.
Saha has looked good in his 22-ball stay, starting off his run-scoring with a big six off the offspinner Jeetan Patel and with Jadeja gaining confidence from his useful knocks in the first Test match, the two have the ability to put in a big partnership.
Even a 50-run alliance will do, because it will frustrate the New Zealand players and give the India dressing room some confidence as they come in to bowl at some point on day two.
It will be interesting to see if R Ashwin and Jadeja get turn from the pitch, and if they do, how dangerous they prove to be. Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, though, could prove to be the key bowlers, considering how dangerous Boult and Henry looked with the new ball in their hands.
Where to Watch Live
India: TV: Star Sports 1/HD1 and Star Sports 3/HD3. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
New Zealand: TV: Sky Sport 3. Live Streaming: Sky Go NZ.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 3. Live Streaming: Watch Sky Sports.
US and Canada: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
Middle East: TV: OSN Cricket. Live Streaming: OSN Cricket Live.
