Tendulkar takes game to Kiwis

New Zealand 279 India 278-4

Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar hit half centuries as India reached stumps on the second day of the first Test 278 for 4, one run behind New Zealand's first innings total.

Tendulkar was unbeaten on 70 when bad light stopped play as India took command of the Test. The Black Caps did enjoy some early success when a superb direct hit by James Franklin resulted in the run out of Virender Sehwag in the third over of the day after India resumed on 29 without loss having survived seven overs last night.

Sehwag had faced just three deliveries when he was called for a risky second run after partner Gambhir had pushed a Kyle Mills delivery wide of gully, but he was well short of his ground and departed after adding just two to his overnight 22.

It could have been so much better had Mills not bowled a no ball with his first delivery of the day when he had Gambhir plumb leg before wicket when on six.