After New Zealand’s strong start against India which saw Tim Southee and Doug Bracewell wreak havoc amongst the top order, batsman Virat Kohli has steadied the ship with an unbeaten 93 at the end of the second day of the first test.
India reached 283 for five in their first innings in reply to the BlackCaps 365.
Kohli hit 12 boundaries and a six on the way to his fifth test half-century.
Southee justified his promotion to replace Chris Martin following the heavy Test defeat in Hyderabad, getting good movement off a relatively docile pitch.
His figures were 2-11 off six lively overs and he was well supported by Northern Districts team-mate Trent Boult, who troubled the Indians with genuine pace.
Opener Virender Sehwag was to resume on 39 alongside legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had crawled to four off 41 balls in an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 36.
Earlier, New Zealand lost wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk in the fifth over of the day for a highest Test score of 71, sparking a lower-order collapse.
Doug Bracewell was run out unluckily at the non-striker's end when backing up for 43 before Southee fell for 14 and Jeetan Patel without scoring.
Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha claimed another wicket to give him figures of 5-99 off 28.1 overs.
On Saturday captain Ross Taylor scored 113 and opener Martin Guptill contributed 53.
NZN