Brendon McCullum cruised to the second double century of his career to put his team in a commanding position at the end of the second day’s play at the Eden Park in Auckland. McCullum’s extra-ordinary innings was well supported by the NZ seamers as they picked up quick wickets to put India in a real spot of bother. At stumps on day 2, India’s score reads 130/4 with Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane not out at the crease after having lost some early wickets.
New Zealand began the day with overnight batsmen Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson batting well and both of them standing close to personal milestones. McCullum reached the first landmark of 150-run mark with a cover drive in the third over of the day while Anderson followed him very soon to complete his half-century. Anderson (77) could not complete his well deserved hundred but McCullum (224) reached the second double ton of his career as NZ went past the 500-run mark in the first innings. At the end of first innings NZ were all out for 503. Ishant Sharma picked up 6 wickets and Zaheer Khan chipped in with a couple. Mohammad Shami and Ravindra Jadeja picked up one wicket each.
Indian batsmen at the start of their innings were in real trouble having lost 2 wickets that of Shikhar Dhawan (0) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) in the first over. Trent Boult opened the 
bowling with a no-ball but compensated well with the extra ball picking up the priced wicket of Pujara. It needed something special from the Kiwis to remove the threat of Virat Kohli and Tim Southee did just that as the delivery kissed Kohli’s gloves to the 2nd slip hitting his helmet on its way when he was on 2. Kohli was absolutely unhappy with the umpire’s call though the snickometer spoke in favour of the umpire. From then on Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma tried to steady India’s ship but one special ball from Neil Wagner took the bails of Vijay’s stumps on its way to the keeper. Till then Vijay had played well for his 26. Since Vijay’s fall, India had not lost any wicket till the last ball as play ended before scheduled time due to poor light. Ajinkya Rahane (23*) was there at the crease along with Rohit Sharma (67*) who completed his half-century and looking good for a bigger one.
India’s target at the moment is set at avoiding the follow on as they are still 172 run short of that mark. At 130/4 India still trail NZ by 373 runs which look like a mountain to climb for the Indians. With only Mahendra Singh Dhoni left in the batting line-up things are not looking very bright for the Indians, though nothing can be predicted in cricket.
Tags: Ajinkya Rahane Auckland test Brendon McCullum Cheteshwar Pujara Corey Anderson Cricket news Dhoni India vs New Zealand Ishant Sharma McCullum scored double century Mohammad Shami Murali Vijay Ravindra Jadeja Rohit Sharma Shikhar Dhawan Tim Southee Virat Kohli Zaheer Khan
