Pacer Ishant grabbed his fifth five-wicket haul to send New Zealand reeling at 166 for eight at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test, here today.
Using the seamer-friendly conditions at Basin Reserve to the maximum, Ishant (5/44) continued to torment the hosts as he picked his second five-for of the series and was ably supported by Mohammad Shami (3/63) to put India in a strong position.
Tim Southee (19 not out) and Neil Wagner (zero not out) were at the crease, trying to salvage the situation against a belligerent Indian attack.
Shami recovered after a poor start to give three jolts to Kiwis of his own, while Zaheer Khan was unlucky to not take any wickets on a green-top.
Kane Williamson and Corey Anderson started the post-lunch session at 51 for four with the two batsmen looking to control the damage done in the first period. The latter looked to hit out and counter attack the bowling, in a bid to drive back the Indian bowlers who were looking menacing. He hit three fours and one six, but couldn't last long enough to sustain the innings.
He was snapped up by Ishant, the hero of the day so far, in the eighth over after the break. Anderson made 24 runs (43 balls), before an inside edge ballooned off his pad and went straight to Virat Kohli at gully, adding 39 valuable runs with a fortunate Williamson.
Playing his 55th Test, Ishant took his fifth wicket by dismissing BJ Watling for a duck. The batsman was caught in the slips by Rohit Sharma.
