Wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha's battling half-century helped India reach 316 before the hosts made some early inroads into the New Zealand top order on Saturday's second morning of the second Test at Eden Gardens.
After India were dismissed shortly before lunch, their seamers removed both New
Zealand openers to leave the tourists reeling at 2-21 in their first innings with stand-in captain Ross Taylor (two) and Henry Nicholls (one) at the crease.
Mohammed Shami trapped opener Tom Latham (one) leg before, while an out-of-sorts Martin Guptill (13) departed when the ball ricocheted off his elbow and onto his stumps after he lifted his arms to avoid a Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivery.
Much will rest on Taylor's shoulders when New Zealand resume and, with regular captain Kane Williamson absent through illness, the tourists can expect a trial by spin on a wearing track as the innings progresses.
Resuming on 7-239, India - who lead the three-Test series 1-0 - added some valuable runs through their lower-order batsmen, with Saha (54no) completing his third test 50.
The 31-year-old, who has cemented his place in India's side after the Test retirement of long-standing captain and wicketkeeper MS Dhoni, was struck on the elbow and the ribcage by some hostile New Zealand bowling.
But the right-handed batsman did not flinch and brought up his 50 with a four and a six in successive deliveries off left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, much to the delight of the crowd who applauded at length for the local cricketer.
Saha added 41 for the eighth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja (14) and another 35 for the final one with fellow home favourite Shami.
Fast bowler Matt Henry, who took two catches in the morning, was the most successful of the New Zealand bowlers by claiming a three-wicket haul, while Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Jeetan Patel all picked up two apiece.
Reuters
