2nd Test: Sachin falls early to Vettori

Agencies

Hyderabad, 14 November 2010: India were dealt a body blow when New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori snapped up Sachin Tendulkar on day three of the second Test at Hyderabad on Sunday.

 

Earlier, Sehwag narrowly missed out on a century but laid the foundation of a strong Indian reply after the home side bundled out New Zealand for 350 on day two at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Saturday.

 

At stumps, the hosts were comfortably placed at 178 for the loss of two wickets, just 172 runs behind the Kiwis with Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid batting on 11 and seven, respectively.

 

 

 

Sehwag smashed a typically aggressive 96 that came off 120 deliveries and included 15 fours and a six, while Gautam Gambhir, too, brought to an end his poor run of scores with a much-needed fifty. Both the openers, however, got out in quick succession.

 

Sehwag was bowled while trying to hoick Daniel Vettori over midwicket while Gambhir (54) was caught down the leg side by Gareth Hopkins off a Tim Southee delivery.

 

The flamboyant Sehwag drove, pulled and employed the cut with real authority during his stay at the wicket, while Gambhir relied on the occasional nudges, flicks and drives to collect his runs during their crucial 160-run partnership that gave India the platform to dominate proceedings on Sunday.