India v New Zealand

Sachin Tendulkar closed in on a 50th Test century as India assumed control of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Nagpur.

Tendulkar was 57 not out at the end of day two as the hosts reached 292-2 in reply to the Kiwis' first innings effort of 193 all out.

India removed the last three New Zealand wickets before lunch and took little time in taking a first-innings lead thanks in the main to opener Virender Sehwag, who rattled up 74 in an opening stand of 113 with Gautam Gambhir.

Sehwag clubbed New Zealand captain Dan Vettori for six as he passed 50 before lunch with the hosts going in at 89-0.

Further success

He enjoyed further success against Vettori after the interval but his reign of terror came to an end when the spinner got his revenge, claiming a sharp return catch low down.

Gambhir (78) was then joined by Rahul Dravid and the pair looked comfortable, adding 79 for the second wicket before the former fell to the returning Tim Southee, steering one to Ross Taylor in the slips.

However Dravid, who cruised to his 60th Test half-century off 115 balls, and his old comrade Tendulkar dominated the final session.

Tendulkar eventually reached his 50 after spending an age on 49, punishing a wide delivery from Martin Guptill.

The pair took their partnership to 100 just before the close, with India in prime position to force a victory after two drawn Tests in the series so far.

Earlier, play began at 9am after time was lost on the opening day but Brendon McCullum, the Black Caps' last recognised batsman, fell inside the opening half-hour when he nicked Ishant Sharma (4-43) to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Sharma then produced a leg cutter to remove Andy McKay's off stump on his debut and although Southee slogged Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha for maximums, the latter ended his fun when he holed out to Sehwag for 38.

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