Hyderabad, Nov 14: Harbhajan Singh smashed an unbeaten half-century to extend India’s lead to 86 runs at the end of play on day 3 of the second Test against New Zealand at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Harbhajan (85*) and S Sreesanth (14*) added 69 runs for the 10th wicket as India reached 436 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in reply to the visitors’ total of 350 runs.

India were 355-8 when rain interrupted play, but the match resumed with Harbhajan Singh making the most of it. Earlier, the home team suffered a double blow when they lost VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni in quick succession after Tea. Chris Martin trapped Laxman in front of the wickets after the veteran scored his 48th Test fifty in front of his home crowd to take India within striking distance of New Zealand’s first innings total. The Indian captain followed suit, as he chipped a Vettori delivery to short cover where Brendon McCullulam took an easy catch.

VVS Laxman scored 74 runs to help India reach 323 for the loss of five wickets in the first innings at Tea on the third day. Tim Southee, who bowled his heart out, was rewarded with the wicket of Rahul Dravid (45) with the second new ball. The pair of old-warhorses- Laxman and Dravid had earlier put on 75 runs for the fourth wicket. Raina joined Laxman at the centre and scored 20 before being dismissed by Daniel Vettori.

In the morning session, Vettori got the prized wicket of Sachin Tendulkar. The batting maestro, who is one short of a record 50 Test hundreds, was caught off an edge that flew to Ross Taylor at first slip, who caught a blinder to get the Kiwis off to a flying start.

Brief Score:India 436-9, Harbhajan Singh (85*), VVS Laxman (74), Daniel Vettori 123-4, Tim Southee 95-3.