Kiwis on the ropes in Hyderabad Test

Hyderabad, Aug.24 (ANI): Indian spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha worked their magic on Friday to snare five New Zealand wickets on the second day of the first of two Tests between the two sides.

While Ashwin claimed three wickets for 30 runs of 14 overs, Ojha claimed two wickets for 35 runs of 15 overs, reducing the Kiwis to 106 for the loss of five wickets of 42 overs in reply to India's mammoth first innings total of 438. New Zealand still needs 133 runs to avoid a follow-on.

In fielding, Virat Kohli turned in an outstanding performance, taking three catches.

At the draw of stumps, James Franklin and wicketkeeper CFK van Wyk were at the crease on 31 and 0 respectively.

Earlier, New Zealand enjoyed their best session of the Hyderbad Test, taking five India wickets after lunch as the home team was dismissed for 438 at the stroke of tea.

Off spinner Jeetan Patel who broke the 127-run sixth-wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara and MS Dhoni, ended the innings with 4 for 100, including the wickets of both Pujara and Dhoni, as New Zealand attacked India's lower order.

Pujara marked his return to the India team after more than 20 months, with a score of 159 that included 19 boundaries and a six. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored 73 with six fours and a six.

Ashwin scored 37 with five boundaries. (ANI)