1st Test: Rahane and Pujara testing strength of 'long rope'

If ever there was a Test match to prove their stature and influence as established Test batters, it was the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur with Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant missing in action. Ajinkya Rahane's counter-attacking century in Melbourne and Cheteshwar Pujara's act of defiance in Brisbane seem to have happened a lifetime ago.