Ahmedabad, Nov 5: India moved into a commanding position on Day 2 of the first Test match played against New Zealand. The match is being played at the Sarda Patel Stadium, here in Motera.

India began the day with an overnight score of 329 for 3. Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman who found their way out into the middle at the start of the day’s play batted rather slowly, managing a mere 29 runs in the first hour of play. Sachin, attempting to equal a record 11th successive 50-plus score in Test cricket, was out caught and bowled by Jeetan Patel with the score at 383. His 40-run score came off 133 deliveries.

India lost the opportunity to make a mammoth total, as the wicket numbers five, six, seven and eight fell with the addition of a platry 29 runs. Suresh Raina (3) gave Kane Williamson his first Test wicket, while VVS Laxman (40) was trapped LBW by Patel. MS Dhoni (10) and Zaheer Khan (1) fell soon after to Daniel Vettori, without making a substantial contribution.

At that stage, with the score at 412-8, it appeared that India would not even cross 450. But Harbhajan Singh played a gem of an innings to bring up his highest score in Test cricket (69). Supported by Pragyan Ojha, who played a dogged knock of 11 runs that lasted 59 deliveries, Harbhajan steered the Indian innings to an imposing score of 487. Daniel Vettori with figures of 4 for 118 was the most successful Kiwi bowler.

The Kiwi innings got off to a rather disappointing start as opener Tim McIntosh fell for a duck, caught behind by Dhoni off Zaheer Khan’s bowling. Brian Watling (6), coming in at the fall of McIntosh’s wicket, was clean bowled by Pragyan Ojha soon after. It was then left to the experienced hands of Brendon McCullum (38*) and Ross Taylor (18*) to see through the remaining overs bowled in the day. Their steely resolve ensured that New Zealand didn’t lose any more wickets and finished the day at 69 for 2.

Brief Score – India 1st innings 487 (Virender Sehwag 173, Rahul Dravid 104, Harbhajan Singh 69, Daniel Vettori 4-118), New Zealand 1st innings 69 for 2 (Brendon McCullum 38*, Zaheer Khan 1-14)