Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid both helped themselves to half-centuries on Thursday as India closed in on New Zealand’s first innings total on the second day of the opening test in Hamilton.
Gambhir struck a patient 72 while a composed Dravid made 66 to guide the tourists to 197 for three at tea in reply to New Zealand’s first day total of 279.
When the second session ended, India were just 82 runs behind with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 25 and Vangipurappu Laxman not out four.
Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar
New Zealand had made a bright start to the day when they dismissed dangerous opener Virender Sehwag at the start of the morning session, which was delayed by 15 minutes because of overnight rain.
Sehwag had added just two runs to his overnight score of 22 when he was run out at the non-striker’s end by a direct hit from James Franklin.
But India, who had resumed on 29-0, dominated the rest of the morning on a placid Seddon Park pitch offering little assistance to the bowlers.
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