2nd Test: NZ 232/9 at stumps, lead by 244

Bangalore: New Zealand were 232 for 9 at stumps on day three of the second Test at here against India with a lead of 244 runs.

India resumed from overnight score of 283 for 5 and Virat Kohli, who was unbeaten on 93 at stumps on day two, soon notched up his second Test century by flicking Trent Boult for a boundary through mid-wicket. But the euphoria was short-lived as Southee trapped him plumb in front of the wickets for 103. Kohli padded the ball which was angling in after pitching and was adjudged lbw. Southee nipped out Dhoni in his next over to complete his five-wicket haul. The ball swung in and hit Dhoni's pad before brushing his bat. Dhoni made 62.

Zaheer Khan caned a six off the first ball he played but didn't last long. Southee dug in a short ball which Zaheer edged to the wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk. In the same over, Southee also removed Pragyan Ojha, who edged an outswinger to van Wyk.

From 303 for 5, India were reduced to 320 for 9. The last-wicket stand between R Ashwin and Umesh Yadav frustrated the New Zealand bowlers for some time. Ashwin played an important innings of unbeaten 32. He shielded Yadav well by striking boundaries and taking singles on the last or second last ball of overs.

Yadav's resistance was ended by Boult who cleaned him up for 4. Ashwin and Yadav added 33 runs for the last wicket as India finished their first innings for 353, conceding a 12-run lead to New Zealand. Southee was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand taking seven wickets for 64, which was the best spell by a New Zealander in India.

Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill started off the visitors' second innings on a good note as New Zealand went to lunch at 29 for no loss.

Yadav removed openers Guptill and McCullum in quick succession after lunch. Guptill (7) was cleaned up by a yorker while MuCullum (23) edged the ball straight into Dhoni's gloves.

Kane Williamson could only muster 13 runs before a straight-ball from Ashwin took an edge of his bat and Virender Sehwag at first slip grabbed another neat catch.

Ross Taylor played some fine shots but a premeditated sweep shot off Ojha ended his stay at the crease. He made 35 runs.

Daniel Flynn and James Franklin didn't let India make further inroads and took their team to 123 for 4 at tea.

New Zealand kept losing wickets at regular intervals after tea though Franklin and van Wyk added 55 runs for sixth wicket to steer their team close to 200. Ashwin broke van Wyk's defiance by trapping him lbw.

Franklin played a rash shot soon after, charging down the track to Ashwin but didn't reach the length of the ball as it turned away from him and Dhoni did the rest. He made 41, the highest score of New Zealand innings.

Southee and Bracewell didn't last long. Ashwin castled Southee to complete the five-wicket haul.

Jeetan Patel and Boult were at the crease when the day was called.