India batted cautiously to take control of the first cricket Test against New Zealand in Hamilton on Thursday with their top-order laying the foundation for a substantial first innings lead. The visitors rode in notable contributions from Gautam Gambhir (72),Rahul Dravid (66) and Sachin Tendulkar (unbeaten 70) to reach a comfortable 278 for four at the end of second day's play,trailing by just one run. It was not a flamboyant approach but a steady and watchful display by the formidable Indian batsmen,who were quite content in curbing their natural stroke-play. Tendulkar held the innings together and Yuvraj Singh (8) was giving him company at stumps on an absorbing day's play at Seddon Park. Tendulkar's 135-ball innings,embellished with 11 fours,was flawless except for a mistimed pull shot off rival skipper Daniel Vettori which could have cut short his strides at individual score of 13. Daniel Flynn could not hold on to the tough chance as he ran backwards from short mid-wicket but the bowl touched his finger tips before landing on the ground. Resuming at 29 for no loss,India lost dashing Virender Sehwag in the morning session but Gambhir and Dravid ensured there was no further setbacks with a 105-run partnership.
