India one down after follow-on

India is one wicket down in its second innings at the end of third day’s play in the face of follow-on by the New Zealand. The Kiwis took charge of the second cricket Test pushing India to follow-on the third day at the McLean Park, Napier. Indians were bowled out for just 305 in reply to New Zealand's first innings score of 619 for 9 declared.

New Zealand bowlers especially Chris Martin (3-89) put their best to constrict India’s first innings. Jesse Ryder, the double century holder of this Test, claimed the most crucial wicket of in-form batsman Rahul Dravid for 83 when India was only four wickets down.

The Kiwis cleaned up the Indian tail quickly after dismissing VVS Laxman (76). Laxman who was looking calm and composed drove a ball straight to Tim McIntosh in the second slip before Iain O’ Brien removed Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan in successive deliveries.

Earlier, despite the fall of Sachin Tendulkar (49), when Dravid and Laxman were at the crease, India seems to take on the mammoth total at least with anticipation to avoid the follow-on. But three quick wickets in a distance of 38 runs exposed India’s long batting lineup.

It was a day for the fast bowler Chris Martin who claimed three wickets: the first one was Yuvraj Singh (0) who played too far from his body to glide the ball only to the second slip; the second was stand-in wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik (6) caught at the 3rd slip, while the most prized one came with Laxman at second slip.

Meanwhile, India were 47 for 1 at stumps (3rd day) in their second innings. Spinner Jeetan Patel took the lone wicket of destructive Sehwag, trapping him lbw. India is still trailing by 267 runs.

India, who leads the three-Test series 1-0 has now a much bigger job to play saving the grace while surviving the next two days.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 619 for 9 declared (1st innings): J. Ryder 201, R. Taylor 151, B. McCullum 115, D. Vettori 55, J. Franklin 52) India 305 all out (1st innings): Rahul Dravid 83, VVS Laxman 76 2nd Innings 47 for 1: Sehwag 22 (out), Gautam Gambhir 14*, R. Dravid 11*

Teams:

New Zealand - Daniel Vettori (capt), Tim McIntosh, Martin Guptill, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (wk), Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.

India - Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag (capt), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Vangipurappu Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel.