Sehwag give India a strong start (Lunch report)

NAGPUR - India were off to a strong start, with Virender Sehwag racing to an unbeaten 55, as the hosts reached 89 for no loss at lunch after bowling out New Zealand for 193 in their first innings in the third and last cricket Test here Sunday.

At the break, Sehwag had struck nine fours and a six and had Gautam Gambhir (31 not out) for company. India traile by 104 runs at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium.

Sehwag was lucky to get a life when at 19 he was dropped by Jesse Ryder at short leg off left-arm spinner and skipper Daniel Vettori.

Earlier, India wrapped up the New Zealand innings in the morning with Ishant Sharma (4-43) picking two wickets early and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (3-57) taking Tim Southee (38) to wrap up visitors.

Brendon McCullum, who smashed his maiden double century in Hyderabad and was forced to bat at number eight here because of back spasms, could add just six runs to his overnight 34 before falling to Ishant.

Debutant Andy McKay (5) became Ishant’s fourth wicket after he bowled him.