McCullum hit 11 fours and three sixes in his 177-ball knock as the visitors reached 237 for four at close in reply to India’s first-innings 472, built around a record century by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
New Zealand, who made 350 in their first-innings, lead by 115 with six wickets in hand with Kane Williamson (12) the other not out batsman at the crease when stumps were called.
McCullum dominated India’s bowlers before racing to his sixth Test century. He added 125 runs with Tim McIntosh to register New Zealand’s first century-stand for the opening wicket in six years.
McIntosh was caught on 49 by substitute fielder Cheteshwar Pujara off Pragyan Ojha. However, television replays suggested the ball had rebounded off the pads.
Ojha picked his second wicket when he had Martin Guptill caught behind the stumps for 18 while S Sreesanth sent back Ross Taylor (seven) with a delivery that uprooted the off-stump. Jesse Ryder’s (20) innings was cut short by Suresh Raina shortly before the close.
Earlier, Singh hammered an unbeaten 111 off 114 balls to become the first number eight batsman in the world to score centuries in successive Tests.
“We have a good chance of winning,” said VVS Laxman.
“If we can take two early wickets in the morning, it will put New Zealand under pressure. We’re confident that we can chase any target less than 200 to 225 even if it means scoring at about five runs an over.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2010.
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