Saha's 50 propel India to 316 before pacers reduce NZ to 21/2

Wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha hit a gritty unbeaten half-century to take India to 316 before pacers struck early to reduce New Zealand to 21 for two at lunch on the second day of the second cricket Test, here today.
Trailing the three-match series 0-1, New Zealand were trailing India by 295 runs at lunch with India's new ball bowlers Mohammad Shami (1/4) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/13) removing the visiting openers -- Tom Latham (1) and Martin Guptill (13) in successive overs.
Shami struck in his first over to dismiss Tom Latham (1) LBW, while Guptill continued with his woeful run with the bat and was bowled by Bhuvneshwar in the third over as the ball hit the right-hander's elbow before crashing on to the stumps.

Earlier attacked by a barrage of short-pitch deliveries, Saha stood determined as he built his innings from being 14 not out last night to remain 54 not out, only the third half-century of his career as India made impressive progress from the overnight score of 239 for seven in 86 overs.
For Saha, who has had one century and two fifties before today, this was his first half-century in India and came at a crucial period when India looked in danger of being wrapped under 250 after yesterday's poor show in the first hour.
The two local lads -- Saha and Shami -- shared 35 runs for the last wicket which came in just 31 balls before the latter was dismissed by a sharp sideway running catch by Matt Henry at fine leg to bundle out India in 104.5 overs.

Saha first stitched a 41-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja (14) but the left-hander, who scored a fifty in Kanpur Test, could not make it big after Neil Wagner gave the first breakthrough of the day to New Zealand in the 11th over.

Jadeja looked to break free after stepping out to left-arm spinner Mitchell Santer for a six in the previous over but Wagner set him up brilliantly as he pulled a straight catch to Henry at fine-leg for the day's first dismissal.
India were soon reduced to 281 for 9 but Saha and Shami ensured that the hosts get past the psychological 300-run mark in a last wicket partnership.

Having rocked India's top-order yesterday, New Zealand highest wicket-taker Henry (3/46) attacked Saha with a short-ball that hit hard on the Indian batsman's unprotected left elbow.
Saha came back strong and replied with a delicate boundary dissecting the packed slip cordon as India went past 250.
At the other end, Jadeja, who was yet to open his account, had a testing time from the three Kiwi pace lineup of Henry, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner.
India lead the three-match series 1-0 with their massive 197 runs victory in the first Test in Kanpur.