Guwahati: Virat Kohli scored 105 to carry India to a solid total of 276 all-out in the first innings of the first one-day international against New Zealand on Sunday.
The right-handed number-three scored 100 off 100 balls before falling to Andy McKay, New Zealand's most effective bowler, when caught by Jamie How in the 43rd over.
Kohli's firepower looked set to take India to a formidable score but McKay pinned them back with four wickets for 62 runs.
Gambhir chipped in 38 as he took up the role of Indian captain, with M.S. Dhoni rested along with other top stars such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh for the start of the five-match series.
New Zealand's regular captain Daniel Vettori was also missing due to back stiffness following the three-game Test series between the teams, which India won 1-0 with a victory in Nagpur.
Ross Taylor took over Vettori's post.
With the game starting at 8:00 am local time, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl as they took into account the Guwahati ground's reputation as a tricky track to bat on early in the day.
India's total set New Zealand a run rate of 5.66 an over.