India were in a spot of bother at 90 for three chasing an improbable 435 runs at tea on the fifth day of the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand, here today.
India lost their top three batsmen in the post-lunch session after New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum became the first Kiwi batsman to hit a Test triple-hundred.
Riding on McCullum's historic 302 and debutant James Neesham's unbeaten 137, the hosts declared their second innings at 680 for eight in 210 overs with an overall lead of 434 runs at the Basin Reserve.
Starting at 10 for no loss post-lunch, India had the simple task of batting out two sessions to save the Test. But as has been the story in this tour so far wherein they haven't managed to win a single game, the visitors botched it up.
Chasing an impossible 435 runs, openers Shikhar Dhawan (2) and Murali Vijay (7) were dismissed soon after resumption of play. While the former was out in the very first over after lunch, LBW to Trent Boult (1/30) as the delivery hit the top of his pads, the latter went in the next over, caught at third slip by Corey Anderson off Tim Southee (2/33).
Southee added another to his wicket-tally, breaking the 44-run third-wicket partnership between Cheteshwar Pujara (17) and Virat Kohli.
A sharp bouncer kissed Pujara's glove on its way to wicket-keeper BJ Watling, bringing an end to a disappointing tour for him.
Kohli, on the other hand, was lucky to survive in the 13th over, as he edged a Boult delivery to Watling but umpire Steve Davis didn't hear the nick.
