Photos from Ahmedabad

Rahul Dravid compiled his 15th Test century to give India the edge on the opening day against New Zealand.

He hit 13 boundaries in his 110 not out as the home side reached 249-3 at the close.

Dravid shared an unbroken stand of 115 with VVS Laxman (56) after Sachin Tendulkar had been dismissed for only eight by Scott Styris.

New Zealand, who beat India on home soil last year have only won two out of 24 previous Tests in the sub-continent.

They chose a side featuring two spinners, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman, and entrusted all-rounder Jacob Oram with the new ball after India won the toss and opted to bat.

Virender Sehwag found the boundary in Oram's first over and then slashed Daryl Tuffey to third man for six in a positive start to proceedings.

He then drove Scott Styris for two fours in one over in racing to 29 off 32 balls but paid the price for playing across the line when he was lbw to Tuffey in the 11th over.

Newcomer Akash Chopra avoided unnecessary risks and with Dravid in like mind, India's score advanced at a modest rate either side of lunch.

DRAVID'S PREVIOUS TONS v NZ 190, Hamilton 1999 103no, Hamilton 1999 144, Mohali 1999

Chopra showed a sound technique in making 42 before he gave a return catch to left-armer Vettori.

His exit brought Tendulkar to the crease for his first major innings since undergoing finger surgery following the World Cup in South Africa.

His hopes of marking his comeback with a big score were cut short when he was deceived by a slower ball from Styris, and edged a catch to Nathan Astle at slip.

It proved to be New Zealand's final breakthrough of the day as Dravid and Laxman kept them at bay, content to put away an occasional loose ball.

Laxman's half century arrived when he pulled Tuffey for four and Dravid's hundred came in the seamer's next over when he forced the ball away through to the cover boundary with superb timing.

It was the fourth time he had reached three figures in a Test against the Kiwis.

India: A Chopra, V Sehwag, S R Tendulkar, R Dravid, V V S Laxman, S C Ganguly (Capt), P A Patel (Wkt), A Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Z Khan, L Balaji.

New Zealand: M H Richardson, S P Fleming (Capt), L Vincent, N J Astle, S B Styris, C D McMillan, R G Hart (Wkt), J D P Oram, D L Vettori, P J Wiseman, D R Tuffey.

Umpires: David Shepherd (England) and Rudi Koertzen (South Africa).