Black Caps show how to compete in India

It's early days yet in the India-New Zealand series, but Australia need look no further than their Trans-Tasman rivals to learn how to bat and bowl on the dry and dusty pitches of the sub-continent.

The Black Caps have held their own on the first two days of the opening Test at Kanpur's Green Park stadium by not being overawed by either the harsh heat and humidity or the sight of a grassless wicket.

Report, scorecard: India v New Zealand, first Test

Having commendably restricted India to 318 after losing the toss, the tourists thwarted India's spinners to reach 1-152 by stumps on the second day on Friday before rain wiped out the post-tea session.

Left-handed opener Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson hit unbeaten half-centuries during a 117-run stand, sweeping the spinners at will even on a pitch providing sharp turn and uncertain bounce. 

New Zealand are still 166 runs behind and face the hazardous prospect of batting last, but they have already shown the stomach for a fight not seen from teams visiting India in recent years.

Australia, who will tour India for four Tests in February-March, were swamped 4-0 on their last trip in 2013 and were whitewashed 3-0 in Sri Lanka recently.

And South Africa lost their number one ranking after being routed 3-0 in 2015.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri was very impressed with the way New Zealand have played the match so far.

"They have been one step ahead of India," said Shastri. "I think New Zealand have set the tone for the series. They will not be pushovers."

New Zealand's batting coach Craig McMillan said the left-hand, right-hand combination worked well to keep the Indian bowlers at bay.

"We were disciplined and stuck to the game plan," said McMillan. "When the Indian bowlers missed, we attacked. The rotation of strike throughout the day was the key.

"They got a few balls to spin late in the day. But the discipline of both these guys was crucial. They soaked the pressure well."

Luck favours the brave and both Latham and Williamson were fortunate to be still there at the crease, the former surviving one of the most unusual escapes in history. 

Latham, who ended the day on a gutsy 56, was on 47 when he appeared to have been caught bat-pad at short-leg off left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

Since the ball had deflected from Latham's bat off his shoes, umpire Richard Kettleborough sought the assistance of television replays before giving the batsman out.

Replays showed the fielder Rahul juggling with the ball which struck his helmet before he completed the catch. Latham survived.

Rules state that a batsman is not out if the ball touches the protective helmet worn by the fielder before he has completed the catch.

"It was a bit of luck for both sides," said McMillan. "For them, the ball did not ground and the catch was taken. For us, it was lucky that it hit Rahul’s helmet."

Soon after, Williamson was not given out caught behind on 57 by Kettleborough as he attempted to cut Jadeja even though replays indicated a light touch.

The Decision Review System (DRS) is not being used in the series because the Indian board does not consider it to be 100 per cent accurate.

As the batsmen settled in, Indian captain Virat Kohli would have missed the services of a third spinner in Amit Mishra, who was left out to accommodate a sixth batsman. 

But India's batting coach Sanjay Bangar was not worried at the prospect of New Zealand dominating the game.

"We have just bowled 47 overs so far and in those overs the bowlers have made a good effort," he said. "The game is only two days old.

"It’s now a matter of getting a wicket and putting the pressure back on the batsmen. We have to be patient."