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The Indian team took a step closer in the pursuit of their dream series win in New Zealand by taking a crucial first innings lead of 182 runs here at Wellington. It was thanks largely to a superb bowling performance by Zaheer Khan who captured his 7^th career five wicket haul. The left arm pacer knocked the stuffing out of the Kiwi top order by taking the first four wickets. He was well complimented by Harbhajan who took 3 crucial middle order wickets. The Indians ended the day on 51-1, thereby increasing their overall lead to 233 runs and ensuring a firm grip on the game.

The overnight last wicket Indian pair of Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel could not last long with Ishant being caught by McCullum off Chris Martin for 18 as the Kiwis made sure that the Indians did not cross the 400 run mark. (read about Day 1 here) The Kiwi paceman picking up his 4th wicket of the innings.

The New Zealand reply started on a slow note as the Indian new ball attack did not give the openers any loose balls to score off. The pressure finally paid off when Martin Guptill was dismissed by Zaheer for 17. The batsman was undone by a short pitched delivery which was deflected onto the stumps. Flynn became Zaheer’s second victim after edging an outgoing delivery to keeper Dhoni.

Ross Taylor then got along with Tim McIntosh and the duo added 49 runs for the third wicket. Taylor looked impressive as he drove and cut the ball with precision. McIntosh on the other hand was playing a more solid innings, looking like a batsman trying desperately to establish himself in the New Zealand team. Dhoni was on top of his game in the field today, Zaheer Khan was introduced again into the attack and he struck immediately. McIntosh was surprised by a ball which jumped off a length and took the edge through to Yuvraj Singh at first slip.

All hopes were now on Jesse Ryder to again pull his team out of trouble but Zaheer had other ideas. He got his fourth wicket and that too the most coveted one of Ryder. It was a careless shot by the left hander, trying to cut a short ball pitched way outside the off stump, only managing to edge it down to Dhoni. The Kiwis were now in real trouble at 98-4 and it got worse when Taylor was caught down the leg side for 42 off Harbhajan. It was a poor decision as the replays showed that the ball had clearly missed his bat.

The wickets just kept falling after that with no real partnerships to speak of. Franklin became Harbhajan’s second victim after failing to keep his sweep shot along the ground and was nicely taken by Sehwag at square leg. Vettori was caught napping at the crease by Ishant Sharma. The Kiwi skipper edging a full length delivery through to Dhoni who took his fourth catch of the innings.

Zaheer Khan then deservedly got his fifth wicket when Tim Southee tried to pull a good length ball. Zaheer ran around to midwicket to take the catch himself. The left arm pacer was mobbed by his team mates who were absolutely delighted with the effort. Harbhajan then made sure that there will be no late McCullum show as he got the right hander caught by Dhoni for 24. Munaf Patel then got amongst the wickets as he dismissed O’Brien and in the process wrapped up the Kiwi first innings for 197, Dhoni picking up a record sixth catch of the innings.

 

The Indian second innings got off to a flyer with Sehwag picking up 3 boundaries in the first two overs. But his innings was cut short by Martin thanks to a superb delivery which cut back drastically to hit the Delhi dasher on the gloves, the ball popping up to first slip for an easy catch. This brought together India’s second test heroes Gambhir and Dravid and the duo added 37 runs for the 2^nd wicket at the close of play.

The Indians now lead the Black Caps by 233 runs and with 3 days still left to play, the ball is in India’s court to dictate terms. They will be looking to set an improbable target for the Kiwis and then rely on their bowlers to take 10 more wickets to wrap up the series in convincing style.

 

MINI SCORECARD

India 1^st innings 379 all out

Sachin 62                                               Martin 4-98

Harbhajan 60                                          O’Brien 2-89

 

New Zealand 1^st innings 197 all out

Taylor 42                                               Zaheer 5-65

McIntosh 32                                          Harbhajan 3-43

 

India 2^nd innings 51-1

Gambhir 28*                                         Martin 1-13

File Photograph Copyright: Santanu

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