New Zealand vs India 2nd Test Day 3 preview: Hosts have one hand on the trophy

India finished Day 2 at Seddon Park on 90/6, just 7 ahead in the second innings. At the crease are Hanuma Vihari (5*) and Rishabh Pant (1*), and unless they concede a humongous partnership or collapse spectacularly, New Zealand should wrap this up by tea.

Despite a late-order flourish New Zealand, however, India had managed to squeeze out a 7-run lead. Then they caved in against some excellent pace bowling, from all five seamers.

Mayank Agarwal (3) went first, leg-before to Trent Boult (3/12). Tim Southee (1/20) bounced out Prithvi Shaw (14), while Colin de Grandhomme (1/3) hit the pad of Virat Kohli (14) with an off-cutter.

Neil Wagner (1/18) then unleashed a volley of bouncers at Ajinkya Rahane (9) before bowling him with a slower delivery. Soon afterwards, Boult hit the stumps with beautifully swinging deliveries to get both Cheteshwar Pujara (24) and nightwatchman Umesh Yadav (1).

Tom Latham (52) and Tom Blundell (30) had added 66 for the first wicket for New Zealand, but they were left reeling at 177/8 by Mohammed Shami (4/81) and Jasprit Bumrah (3/62). Then Kyle Jamieson blasted out 49 in characteristic fashion, helping them reach 235. The Indian catching was superb.

Key players

Trent Boult (New Zealand): A master of the swing, Boult demonstrated how to move the ball in conditions that assisted lateral movement. New Zealand will expect him to wrap things up in the morning.

Ravindra Jadeja (India): Jadeja has bowled beautifully and has been spectacular on the field. It is time for him to step up with bat, and if needed, ball, justify his inclusion ahead of R Ashwin in overseas Tests.

Brief scores

India 242 (Hanuma Vihari 55, Prithvi Shaw 54, Cheteshwar Pujara 54; Kyle Jamieson 5/45) and 90/6 (Cheteshwar Pujara 24; Trent Boult 3/12) lead New Zealand 235 (Tom Latham 52; Mohammed Shami 4/81, Jasprit Bumrah 3/62) by 97 runs.

Prediction

New Zealand to win by tea.