India take control on second day of Nagpur Test (Roundup)

NAGPUR - India’s top four batsmen struck half centuries as the hosts took control at the end of the second day’s play in the third and final cricket Test against New Zealand here Sunday.

At the close of play, India were 292 for two, taking a lead of 99 runs. Rahul Dravid (69) and Sachin Tendulkar (57) were at the crease. Guatam Gambhir (78) and Virender Sehwag (74) were the two wickets to fall after putting up a 113-run for the opening stand.

It turned out of to be a perfect day for India, who before putting up a flourishing batting display, bowled out New Zealand for a first innings total of 193.

Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-43 while left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha took 3-57.

Resuming at 148 for seven, the Black Caps folded up early in the dday

In reply, Sehwag and Gambhir were off to a blazing start with India reaching 89 without loss at lunch.

Sehwag departed after lunch after Daniel Vettori took a sharp catch off his own bowling giving visitors the breakthrough.

Gambhir played fluently before he prodded a short one from Tim Southee to Ross Taylor in the slips.

Dravid and Tendulkar, who is one short of a 50th Test century, then steadied the Indian innings.