Test Cricket: India Vs New Zealand 2nd Test In Bangalore Evenly Poised!

Ross Taylor

India made 283 for 5 wickets at stumps on the second day the second cricket Test against the touring New Zealand in Bangalore today. India still trails by 82 runs with five wickets remaining. New Zealand scored a total of 365 runs thanks to a brilliant century by skipper Ross Taylor. The test match looks evenly poised at the moment with a lot depending on how much India add tomorrow morning.

After a humiliating defeat in the first Test New Zealand batsmen finally delivered yesterday, the first day of the second Test. On a cloudy morning as usual Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan struck early getting the prize catch of Brendon McCullum for a duck in the second over. But Guptil (53) kept on at the other end and asRoss Taylor walked in things changed for New Zealand. They managed to keep the spinners at bay thrashing them around at every opportunity. Taylor made a sizzling 113 and when he was out at 246/6 New Zealand was again in a bit of a spot. But a sound partnership between CFK van Wyk (71) and DAJ Bracewell (43) took New Zealand to a position of relative command at 328/6 at the end of play. The scoring rate of the day was also excellent. On the second morning today the Kiwis advanced the score to 345, but then lost all their four wickets for only 20 more runs more. Spinner Pragyan Ojha captured five wickets for 99, his third haul of five or more wickets. 

Dhoni and Kohli

The Kiwi fast bowler trio of Boult, Southee who replaced Martin for this Test and Bracewell utilized the heavy conditions and came seaming and swinging at the Indian batsmen. They were ably supported by sharp New Zealand fielding. Very soon India was reduced to 80 for 4 and New Zealand looked to be in full command. The opener duo of Gambhir and Sehwag failed again making it the tenth consecutive time, the former falling cheaply to Southee who removed Pujara too at the team score of 27. Bracewell removed a very defensive Sehwag (43) and Southee took his third wicket in the form of Sachin Tendulkar (17) clean bowling him through the gap between bat and pad. This was the second time in this series that Tendulkar was bowled through the gate.

In came Virat Kohli for a classic innings one more time. First he added 99 runs in a partnership with Suresh Raina (55) and then with skipper Dhoni (46 not out) added 104 runs in an unbeaten partnership. Virat Kohli was on the verge of another brilliant century making an unbeaten 93 runs at stumps.

Barring rain interruptions the second Test is set for an exciting finish. The Scorecard So Far!