Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar hit half centuries in Hamilton as India reached 278 for four at stumps on the second day of the first Test , one run behind New Zealand's first innings total.
The Black Caps did enjoy some early success when a superb direct hit by James Franklin resulted in the run out of Virender Sehwag in the third over of the day after India resumed on 29 without loss, having survived seven overs last night.
Sehwag had faced just three deliveries when he was called for a risky second run, after partner Gambhir had pushed a Kyle Mills delivery wide of gully, but he was well short of his ground and departed after adding just two to his overnight 22.
Sehwag had faced just three deliveries when he was called for a risky second run, after partner Gambhir had pushed a Kyle Mills delivery wide of gully, but he was well short of his ground and departed after adding just two to his overnight 22.
It could have been so much better had Mills not bowled a no ball with his first delivery of the day when he had Gambhir plumb leg before wicket when on six.
But even after removing Sehwag, the hosts were unable to make any further damage into the India's batting line-up in the first session as Gambhir brought up his 10th half century in 97 balls and he and Dravid helped the tourists to 108 for one at lunch.
But even after removing Sehwag, the hosts were unable to make any further damage into the India's batting line-up in the first session as Gambhir brought up his 10th half century in 97 balls and he and Dravid helped the tourists to 108 for one at lunch.
India continued to accumulate runs after the interval but their 105-run second wicket partnership came to an end when Gambhir edged Chris Martin to Brendon McCullum to leave India 142 for two. Gambhir scored 72 runs with the help of 11 boundaries.
Dravid then reached his 54th Test fifty with his 10th four. He added 16 more before being bowled by Iain O'Brien, who squeezed a delivery between bat and pad to hit the off stump and leave India 177 for three. Dravid smashed 66 runs with the help of 12 fours.
Tendulkar and VVS Laxman made it through to tea with the visitors at 197 for three. Tendulkar had a lucky escape on 13 shortly before the break when Daniel Flynn was unable to take a catch chasing back from midwicket after a mis-timed shot from the master-blaster.
Laxman also had a lucky escape after tea while on 15 when O'Brien failed to hold on to a difficult chance on the boundary.
But in the first over with the second new ball, Laxman edged a Martin delivery to Ross Taylor in the slips to depart for 30 having taken India to 238.
Laxman also had a lucky escape after tea while on 15 when O'Brien failed to hold on to a difficult chance on the boundary.
But in the first over with the second new ball, Laxman edged a Martin delivery to Ross Taylor in the slips to depart for 30 having taken India to 238.
It was the final wicket to fall in the day as Tendulkar went on to claim his 52nd Test half-century with a nice cover drive off Martin.
Tendulkar was unbeaten on 70,including 11 fours with Yuvraj Singh eight not out ,when bad light stopped play as India took command of the Test in response to the hosts' 279 yesterday.
Tendulkar was unbeaten on 70,including 11 fours with Yuvraj Singh eight not out ,when bad light stopped play as India took command of the Test in response to the hosts' 279 yesterday.
It was tough day for New Zealand's bowlers and in particular Mills, who finished with figures of none for 70 off 15 overs.
Martin enjoyed the most success, bowling seven maidens and taking two wickets for 53 from 20 overs, while O'Brien chipped in with one for 56.
Jesse Ryder, who hit a maiden Test century yesterday, bowled some tight spells with five maidens in his seven overs which cost just 10 runs.
Martin enjoyed the most success, bowling seven maidens and taking two wickets for 53 from 20 overs, while O'Brien chipped in with one for 56.
Jesse Ryder, who hit a maiden Test century yesterday, bowled some tight spells with five maidens in his seven overs which cost just 10 runs.
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