Openers give New Zealand solid start in chase of 376

KOLKATA - New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Martin Guptill made a solid start in their chase for a series-levelling victory against India in the second test on Monday, taking the tourists to 55 without loss at lunch on the fourth day at Eden Gardens. Latham was unbeaten on 31 and Guptill was not out on 24 as the pair survived some nervous moments before lunch with New Zealand still needing 321 for victory. Guptill, whose place in the test side is under scrutiny after a string of poor scores, was on six when he was given not out on a confident appeal for leg before against paceman Mohammed Shami. India, resuming on 227 for eight, were earlier all out for 263 in their second innings, setting New Zealand a target of 376 runs for victory. Wriddhiman Saha was not out on 58 for his second unbeaten fifty of the test with the hosts looking to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and reclaim the top spot in the world test rankings from Pakistan. Trent Boult, Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner picked up three wickets each for the touring side. -Reuters