Latham, Guptill stand firm in daunting chase

Kolkata - Openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill helped New Zealand reach 55 for no loss at lunch in pursuit of a daunting 376-run target against India on the fourth day of the second Test in Kolkata on Monday.

Latham on 31 and Guptill on 24 were battling to save the three-match series, which they trail 1-0 after losing the opening match in Kanpur.

Earlier India, who resumed the day on 227 for eight in their second innings, were bowled out 263 with Wriddhiman Saha scoring an unbeaten 58.

Saha tackled the New Zealand seamers with assurance after Rohit Sharma struck a dominant 82 on Sunday to hand India the advantage.

Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner claimed three wickets each but the visitors suffered after conceding a 112-run lead in their first innings.

Indian seamers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami, who shared eight wickets between them in the first innings, also made full use of the seemingly two-paced Eden Gardens wicket.

India skipper Virat Kohli though went back to his spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja after the pace duo went wicketless in their respective first spells in the morning session on Monday.