India in command at Nagpur
Four half-centuries put hosts India 99 runs ahead in final Test against New Zealand.
NAGPUR:
Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar led India’s strong reply with unbeaten half-centuries in the series-deciding third and final Test against New Zealand.
The veteran batsmen anchored the innings following the dismissal of openers Gautam Gambhir (78) and Virender Sehwag (74) to take India to 292 for two at stumps on the second day of the match. India were ahead by 99 runs with eight wickets in hand after having bundled out the visitors for 193 early in the morning session where Jesse Ryder (59) was the highest scorer.
Tendulkar survived hostile bowling to play some breathtaking shots, hitting seven boundaries in his 57-run knock. Dravid played in a typically sedate fashion, making 69, including eight hits to the boundary. He added 79 runs with Gambhir for the second wicket and another 100 for the next with Tendulkar.
India got off to a flying start in their first innings, thanks to an entertaining knock by Sehwag. The opener clubbed paceman Tim Southee (one for 41) for two successive fours and hoisted left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori over long-on for a huge six en route to his 26th Test half-century. Gambhir opened up after a cautious start to hit 12 fours, which was cut short when he slashed Southee to Ross Taylor in the slips.
Earlier, Ishant Sharma (four for 43) did most of the damage to restrict the tourists to a paltry total.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2010.
Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar led India’s strong reply with unbeaten half-centuries in the series-deciding third and final Test against New Zealand.
The veteran batsmen anchored the innings following the dismissal of openers Gautam Gambhir (78) and Virender Sehwag (74) to take India to 292 for two at stumps on the second day of the match. India were ahead by 99 runs with eight wickets in hand after having bundled out the visitors for 193 early in the morning session where Jesse Ryder (59) was the highest scorer.
Tendulkar survived hostile bowling to play some breathtaking shots, hitting seven boundaries in his 57-run knock. Dravid played in a typically sedate fashion, making 69, including eight hits to the boundary. He added 79 runs with Gambhir for the second wicket and another 100 for the next with Tendulkar.
India got off to a flying start in their first innings, thanks to an entertaining knock by Sehwag. The opener clubbed paceman Tim Southee (one for 41) for two successive fours and hoisted left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori over long-on for a huge six en route to his 26th Test half-century. Gambhir opened up after a cautious start to hit 12 fours, which was cut short when he slashed Southee to Ross Taylor in the slips.
Earlier, Ishant Sharma (four for 43) did most of the damage to restrict the tourists to a paltry total.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2010.