Bhuvi wrecks Kiwis as India take control
The Indians, resuming at 239 for seven, produced a purposeful batting performance in the morning session to make 316 all out in 104.5 overs. In reply, the Kiwis were tottering at 128 for seven
KOLKATA: Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s devastating five-wicket haul after a late batting blitzkrieg put India firmly in command as they reduced a hapless New Zealand to 128 for seven on the rain-hit second day of their second Test match at Eden Gardens on Saturday.
The Indians, resuming at 239 for seven, produced a purposeful batting performance in the morning session with Wriddhiman Saha (54 not out) scoring his third Test half century to help the team reach 316 all out in 104.5 overs.
In reply, the Kiwis were tottering at 128 fro seven, still 188 runs behind and facing the prospect of another big defeat after the 197run drubbing in the opening Test in Kanpur.
The wrecker-in chief was Bhuvneshwar with a sensational five for 33, his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, from 10 overs that broke the back of New Zealand’s batting.
The Kiwis faced 34 overs in all on the day after a bulk of the final session was held up due to wet ground conditions and stumps were drawn early because of bad light.
It was a turnaround of sorts for India, who had staggered to 239 for seven on Friday on a pitch that offered uneven bounce.
But the lower order came up with a confident performance to push India over the 300-run mark, helped to a large extent by Saha’s gritty knock which came off 85 balls and was laced with seven fours and two hits over the boundary line.
With a good total on the board, the Indian bowlers were incisive against their rivals in the post-lunch session, reducing them to 85 for four.
However, weather played spoilsport close to tea and an early break was taken which eventually lasted two and a half hours.
Passing showers of less than 10 minutes were enough to leave the ground unplayable for more than two hours. However, once play got underway, Bhuvneshwar lit up the gloomy atmosphere with his feisty spell.
Included in place of Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar was at his furious best bowling a tidy line and length as he removed stand-in skipper Ross Taylor (36) in his first over after play was resumed following a two and half hours delay.
Bowling a beautiful line, Bhuvneshwar dismissed Taylor after he jabbed the ball at first slip and took two wickets in two balls by removing Mitchell Santner (11) and Matt Henry (0) off successive balls. Mohammed Shami (one for 46) bowled with pace and bounce to tighten the noose at the other end.