Pacers put India on top against New Zealand

KOLKATA: India´s fast bowlers led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed New Zealand for 204, helping the hosts secure a vital 112-run lead on the third day of the second Test in Kolkata Sunday.

The hosts were 12 for no loss at lunch with Murali Vijay on seven and Shikhar Dhawan on four, stretching India´s second innings lead to 124 runs.

Kumar (5-48) and Mohammed Shami (3-70) shared eight wickets between them to hand over the advantage to India, who won the first Test in Kanpur to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

New Zealand´s Jeetan Patel (47) and BJ Watling put on 60 runs to reduce New Zealand´s first innings deficit, after the visitors started the day on 128 for seven in response to India´s 316.

A five-minute rain break seemed to disturb the concentration of the batsmen, as Indian skipper Virat Kohli continued to juggle with his bowling options.

Patel got a reprieve on 47 after he was trapped lbw off Ravindra Jadeja but the bowler had overstepped the crease and the delivery was adjudged a ´no ball´ by the third umpire.

Patel, who struck nine boundaries during his run-a-ball knock, however failed to capitalise on the chance as Ravichandran Ashwin denied the batsman his maiden fifty.

Shami wrapped up the tail after trapping Watling lbw for 25.