Gautam Gambhir disrupts Virat Kohli's batting practice post-stumps as Pune pitch begins to pose challenges

The Pune pitch was expected to favor spin, and India found themselves pleased that it played to their advantage on Day 1. However, as the day progressed and India finished on 16/1, the rest of the Indian batsmen were left surprised by the amount of spin on offer from Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner. The New Zealand left-arm spinners bamboozled not just India's opening pair of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, but also captain Kohli, who was prepared to face their challenge if needed. Fortunately, Kohli did not have to bat today, but he knows that Friday will bring a tough examination for him and the rest of the Indian lineup.

Kohli has often found himself guilty of getting out to finger spinners – be it off spinners or left-arm spinners. He looked like a million bucks batting in the second innings of the Bengaluru Test but eventually fell to the part-time spin of Glenn Phillips on the last ball of the day. Hence, to avoid any such repetition, Kohli was part of some casual knocking soon after stumps were drawn on Day 1. Padded up and in whites, Kohli charged onto the field and took some throw downs – it was no net session – even as experts Anil Kumble and Simon Doull were going about their assessment of the match.

As the camera panned towards Kohli taking a few knocks, he suddenly paused, turned his head and broke into a smile. As it turns out, the next frame showed India head coach Gambhir and Kohli walking towards each other as the new best buddies in town broke into a hearty laughter. Kohli and Gambhir shared what seemed like an inside joke before resuming proceedings. Gambhir went back to what he was doing while Kohli faced more deliveries.

This wasn't the only entertainment Kohli was part of. Minutes before, as India were rocked by the wicket of Rohit Sharma, Kohli sat in the dressing room padded up, but as was Akash Deep. Perhaps realising that India may need a nightwatchman to see them through the end of the day's play if another wicket is to fall, India had Akash Deep as well as their usual No. 4 ready. A moment captured brilliantly by the camera showed a fun banter between Kohli and Akash, where the senior pro teased the young Indian pacer to go and bat ahead of him. There was no talking, no gesturing; only communication with a nod of the head.

But all jokes and fun apart, India need the best out of Kohli if they are to prevent a second successive defeat to New Zealand. The BlackCaps, having registered a famous win in Bengaluru last week – their first in India since 1988 – stand on the cusp of becoming the first team to beat India in India since 2012 – and the Men in Blue, who are hoping to keep their World Test Championship final chances alive, will be required to bat out of their skins to take the lead of the Kiwis and take further lead.