Singh bats India into lead

Hyderabad - Lower-order batsman Harbhajan Singh made a gritty 85 not out on Sunday to help India reach 436-9 in reply to New Zealand's first innings score of 350, on the third day of the second Test.

It was the third consecutive score of more than fifty for Harbhajan Singh, who helped take India to a handy 86-run lead at stumps with India still having one wicket hand. He had so far added 69 runs with last-man Shantakumaran Sreesanth (15 not out).

VVS Laxman had earlier scored a fine 74 to keep the Kiwis at bay, even as left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori picked up four wickets.

Top-ranked India has been given an unexpected challenge so far in this three-Test series, having struggled hard to draw the first match at Ahmedabad.