Kane Williamson’s 153-ball 89 and Ross Taylor’s 44 off 71 balls have put New Zealand in a commanding position in their first innings. On Day 2 of the first Test in Wellington, the hosts at stumps reached 216-5 in reply to India’s 165. BJ Watling and Colin de Grandhomme remained not out on 14 and 4 respectively, as the Kiwis are 51-run ahead.
Indian speedster Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowlers for Team India. He took the maximum three wickets after dismissing both the openers Tom Blundell (30) and Tom Latham (11) and middle-order batsman Taylor (44).
Apart from Ishant, Mohammed Shami and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin snapped one wicket each, while Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless.
Earlier, India resumed at an overnight score of 122-5, but the tourists lost the rest of five wickets for just 43 runs. Ajinkya Rahane, with 46 off 138 balls, remained the highest scorer for the visiting team.
For the Black Caps, Tim Southee and debutant Kyle Jamieson claimed four-wicket each, while left-armer Trent Boult earned one wicket.