Second Test, Hyderabad (day three):
New Zealand 350 v India 436-9
Match scorecard

Harbhajan Singh produced another star turn with the bat as India forged a strong position over New Zealand with two days to go in the second Test.

India were 367-9, leading by just 17, when Sreesanth came out to join Harbhajan, 32 not out at the time.

And Harbhajan, fresh from scores of 69 and 115 in the drawn first Test, thrashed an unbeaten 85 from 82 balls in an unbroken last-wicket stand of 69.

VVS Laxman had earlier made 74 as India closed on 436-9, leading by 86.

When play resumed on Sunday at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, India were 178-2 and in apparently excellent position to establish a big lead on a placid wicket.

606: DEBATE Now the game is surely beyond the Kiwis' reach. Harbhajan could produce one of the most dominant all-round performances in a three-Test series. hblove

But the first two sessions did not progress as planned for the home team. Sachin Tendulkar added just two to his overnight 11 before coming down the wicket to Daniel Vettori (4-123) and being well caught by Ross Taylor at slip as he drove.

A stand of 75 between Laxman and Rahul Dravid which straddled the lunch break pushed India along, albeit at a slow scoring rate.

But two more wickets fell before tea, Dravid (45) falling lbw to Tim Southee before Suresh Raina (20) tried to clear deep mid-wicket off Vettori only to be comfortably caught inside the boundary.

When Laxman fell lbw to Chris Martin and Mahendra Dhoni (14) chipped a catch into the covers off Vettori, Harbhajan walked out with the contest on an even keel.

But with an astonishing array of attacking shots, including a pulled six off Southee and two handsome lofted on-drives off Vettori, each also disappearing for maximums, the man more noted for his off-spin once again proved a nightmare obstacle for the Black Caps.

Wickets came at the other end, Zaheer Khan and Pragyan Ojha dismissed cheaply, but neither Harbhajan nor the doughty Sreesanth (14 from 47 balls) could be parted.

Harbhajan rode his luck a little, one or two top edges just evading catchers, but had five sixes and seven fours to his name when stumps were drawn on day three.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version