Inept batting by India's much-vaunted line-up left them with the herculean task of saving the second Test which looks heavily tilted in New Zealand's favour after the third day's play today.

Resuming at 79 for three, India's hopes of batting their way into the match depended largely on Sachin Tendulkar (49), Rahul Dravid (83) and VVS Laxman (76) but none of the stalwarts could hang around long enough as their first essay folded for 305, thus incurring follow on.