India spin duo Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja wrested the initiative back from New Zealand as the Kiwis lost 3 wickets for the addition of 80 runs in the post lunch session here at the Eden Gardens on Monday. At tea, the visitors were 135/3, still needing 241 runs to overhaul the target of 376 set by India.
The fourth day’s play saw Tom Latham (74) and martin Guptill stitch together a partnership of 55 runs for the opening wicket. It didn’t take long for the hosts to make inroads. Guptill missed an overpitched delivery from Ashwin first over after the break and perished after scoring 24. Incidentally, it was the largest opening wicket partnership of the second Test.
Henry Nicholls looked gritty and dug deep to partner Latham. After a 49-run stand, Nicholls succumbed to the turn and guile of Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane picking up a smart catch at slip. Stand-in-skipper Ross Taylor did not last long as he missed a straight one from Ashwin and was caught plumb in front.
Latham put on a brave front to notch up a spirited half-century and was being given company by Luke Ronchi when tea was taken. India captain Virat Kohli was his usual animated self, urging the crowd to cheer, remonstrating at his bowlers and the umpire on more than one occasion.
Earlier, Wriddhiman Saha became the fourth Indian wicketkeeper to hit two fifties in a the same Test as the hosts set the Black Caps a target of 376. Incidentally, only once has a team made more than 300 in the final innings at this historic venue. Neil Wagner picked up two of the four remaining Indian wickets to move his career tally to 99.
Brief score: India 316 & 263 (Rohit 82, Saha 58 n.o; Boult 3/38, Henry 3/59, Santner 3/60) vs New Zealand 204 & 135/3 (Latham 74 n.o). India lead by 241 runs.