Nov. 21: A strong all-round performance helped India consolidate the gains made on the first day against New Zealand in the deciding Test here on Sunday. Polishing the Kiwi tail within the first hour, India finished at 292 for two to enjoy a lead of 99 runs. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are at the crease.
Virender Sehwag continued with his routine and waltzed to another half-century while his partner Gautam Gambhir hung in gamely despite not finding his touch to help add 113 runs. Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were not at their eloquent best but drew deep into their resources to further the lead. The seasoned duo put on 100 for the third wicket, their 19th century stand that helped improve their own world record.
The New Zealand attack lacked bite to test the top-order on a wicket that got increasingly easy to bat. If at all the batsmen had anything to complain it would be the lack of pace that demanded shots on the up to be checked. The second new ball was taken the moment it was available but it had no effect on Dravid and Tendulkar. With a small target to overhaul Sehwag set the pace pulling Chris Martin once in front of square and once behind after being hit on his fingers. The length was generally generous, allowing the batsmen to make the most of an attacking field.
The 50 came at run-a-ball. Gambhir survived when Andy McKay brought one back sharply. Hawkeye suggested the ball going over the stumps.
Generating good pace, the debutant tested Gambhir to provide an interesting passage of play. Jesse Ryder put down a difficult chance at short leg when Gambhir charged down to Daniel Vettori.
SCOREBOARD
New Zealand
McIntosh b Sreesanth 4, Guptill c Dhoni b Sreesanth 6, Taylor lbw b Ishant 20, Ryder c Raina b Harbhajan 59, K. Williamson c Sehwag b Ojha 0, D. Vettori b Ishant 3, Hopkins c Raina b Ojha 7, B. McCullum c Dhoni b Ishant 40, Southee c Sehwag b Ojha 38, McKay b Ishant 5, Martin not out 2
Extras: (1b, 5lb, 3nb) 9
Total (in 66.3 overs) 193
FoW: 1-11, 2-16, 3-42, 4-43, 5-51, 6-82, 7-124, 8-159, 9-165, 10-193
Bowling: Sreesanth 12-4-28-2, Ishant 18-4-43-4, Ojha 19.3-2-57-3, Harbhajan 17-2-59-1
India
Gambhir c Taylor b Southee 78, Sehwag c&b Vettori 74, Dravid batting 69, Tendulkar batting 57
Extras: (b8, lb3, nb1, w2) 14
Total (in 82 overs) 292/2
FoW: 1-113, 2-192
Bowling: Martin 13-0-58-0, Southee 13-3-41-1, McKay 18-5-47-0, Vettori 30-3-101-1, Williamson 3-0-18-0, Guptill 5-0-16-0