India take 9-run lead, Dhawan misses hundred

Shikhar Dhawan missed a second consecutive hundred by two runs as India scored 201 for five at lunch on day two of the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand here today.
Dhawan scored 98 runs off 127 balls at the Basin Reserve, following his hundred in the first Test in Auckland which India lost by 40 runs, as the visitors took a nine-run lead in this must-win match.
Virat Kohli (27 off 54 balls) and Ajinkya Rahane (22 off 37 balls) were at the crease at the end of the morning session in which India faced 28 overs. India have now faced 56 overs.

Tim Southee (2/60) and Trent Boult (2/44) fought hard to bring their side back into the game. James Neesham (1/17) picked up the other wicket to fall this morning.
Dhawan and Ishant Sharma started the day on 71 and three respectively at the overnight score of 100/2, looking to soften up the ball which was still relatively new with only 28 overs old. This was the role for the latter especially, who now did not have to protect the incoming batsmen.
Ishant continued to face a hostile barrage from the Kiwi bowlers who faltered in not bowling full to him, and trying to bounce him out.

This allowed Ishant to open up a bit as he spent more time at the wicket. He struck three valiant fours and scored 26 runs (off 50 balls) putting on 52 runs with Dhawan for the third wicket.
They reached this mark off only 73 balls, in the 37th over of the innings. But it came to an end that very same over, with Ishant edging Boult behind and was caught handsomely by keeper BJ Watling.