Kohli, Dhawan lead India's charge (Lunch Report)

Auckland, Feb 9 (IANS) An unbeaten 84-run partnership between Virat Kohli (55) and Shilkar Dhawan (81) took India to 180 for two at lunch in their second innings, putting them back in to contention on day four of the first Test against New Zealand at the Eden Park here Sunday.

India, who started the day at 87 for one, lost Cheteshwar Pujara early (23). However, Dhawan and Kohli led India’s charge and left them requiring with 227 runs for an unlikely victory.

Though, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Indian batsmen. Pujara fell victim to Tim Southee’s out-swinger to give the hosts the early initiative. He poked at one too many deliveries outside the off-stump and finally managed to edge one to wicketkeeper B.J. Watling.

New Zealand put more pressure on the Indian batsmen with both Kohli and Dhawan living dangerously. However, as the session wore on they started to take control of the proceedings.

India had looked down and out of the contest after the first innings. New Zealand scored a mammoth 503 runs and then bowled out India for a paltry 202. But an inexplicable second innings batting collapse saw the hosts being bowled out for 105, giving India a way in to the match.