Wellington: Ishant Sharma exploited the seaming conditions brilliantly to return with a career-best six for 51 as India took early control of the second and final cricket Test by skittling out New Zealand for a paltry 192 in the first innings, here today.
Sharma (6/51) justified captain MS Dhoni's decision to bowl first on a greentop as the lanky pacer kept the host batsmen on their toes with his testing line and length.
Rising pacer Mohammad Shami (4/70) also contributed in India's dominating performance show on day one as he picked up key wickets of Kane Williamson (47) and debutant James Neesham (33) at crucial junctures.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan then hit an attacking unbeaten half-century as India reached 100 for two at close, still trailing by 92 runs at the Basin Reserve.
Dhawan (71) and night-watchman Sharma (3) were at the crease after the visitors lost the wickets of opener Murali Vijay (2) and Cheteshwar Pujara (19).
