17:29 IST:
Harshit Rana dragged India back into the contest with an inspired second spell, removing both set openers and triggering a dramatic collapse. In the space of a few overs, New Zealand slipped from 117/0 to 146/3, and then to 198/5, as the middle order showed intent but failed to convert their starts, losing wickets at regular intervals. Daryl Mitchell stood firm at one end despite the chaos around him, anchoring the innings alongside skipper Michael Bracewell. But once the latter fell to some exceptional athleticism from Shreyas Iyer in the field, Mitchell was forced to change gears. He did so effectively, bringing up a well-crafted half-century, but his dismissal for 84 in the final phase meant New Zealand missed a late surge. Still, a valuable cameo from the debutant, Kristian Clarke, in the closing overs lifted them to the 300 mark, giving their bowlers something to bowl at.