Odishatv Bureau
Bangalore: Pacer Umesh Yadav scalped two wickets as Indian bowlers struck four times in the post-lunch session to leave the second cricket Test against New Zealand in balance here on Sunday.

Yadav claimed the wickets of openers Brendon McCullum (23) and Martin Guptill (7) while spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha took the wickets of Kane Williamson (13) and captain Ross Taylor (35) respectively as New Zealand reached 123 for four at the tea break on the third day.

Daniel Flynn and James Franklin were batting on 25 and 11 respectively. The visitors have taken a 135-run lead with six second innings wickets in hand.

Yadav gave the much needed breakthrough to India when he removed both openers soon after the lunch break. Ojha and Ashwin continued the good work by picking up one wicket each.

Resuming at the lunch score of 29 for no loss, New Zealand lost both their openers quickly. Yadav gave the vital breakthrough for India by pitching the ball up instead of hitting the deck which hardly helped him take wickets consistently in the series so far.

The Indian pacer bowled a low full toss at Martin Guptill (7) who got an inside edge before hitting his leg stump.

Brendon McCullum poked at Yadav`s away going delivery and gave a comfortable catch to keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Tottering at 31 for two, New Zealand skipper and first innings centurion Ross Taylor straightaway survived a loud LBW appeal, but the ball clearly missed leg stump.

Soon a rejoicing moment came his way when he punched Yadav at covers for a couple of runs and became the 12th New Zealand player to achieve the feat of reaching 3,000 Test runs.

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