28 March,2009 10:19 AM IST | | Correspondent
India suffered the ignominy of a follow-on on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Resuming at their overnight score of 79 for three, the unbeaten batsmen Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar worked their way to starts but got out in disappointing fashion. Tendulkar's prod outside off-stump provided New Zealand a chance at slip and gave them their first success of the day. Rahul Dravid batted well for his 83 but played an adventurous shot to be caught behind by Brendon McCullum off Jesse Ryder, whose double century hurt India deep on Friday.
VVS Laxman scored 76 but he was yet another star Indian batsman who couldn't go on to get a hundred. Dasher Yuvraj Singh did not trouble the scorers with his 11-ball duck. India's 305 looked a feeble reply after New Zealand scored 619 in their first innings. The hosts look in prime position to go on and level the series after suffering a mighty loss in the first Test at Hamilton. Chris Martin was the pick of the bowlers with three for 89 while Iain O'Brien, Daniel Vettori and Jeetan Patel claimed two wickets each. Seamer O'Brien picked up two wickets in two balls to end the India innings. How India respond in the last session will be critical.
