Mohali, Oct 20: India was forced to follow-on after being bowled out for 424 in their first innings of the second and final cricket Test against New Zealand at the PCA stadium here today. In its second innings, India took off to a shaky start. Resuming at 390 for six, the Indian innings lasted just an hour into the morning session of the fifth and final day.
V V S Laxman, 86 not out overnight, completed his century and remained unbeaten on 104 when Daryl Tuffey had last batsman Zaheer Khan caught by wicket-keeper Robbie Hart for nought.
The hundred was Laxman's fifth in Tests and his third on home soil.
Tuffey returned with four for 80 while Daniel Vettori bagged two for 84.
Two run outs spoiled India's hopes of making the visitors bat again. Anil Kumble, the other overnight batsman, and Harbhajan Singh fell in the space of 12 runs to leave the host struggling at 408 for eight.
Laxman then galloped to his century, the sixth batsman to pass the hundred mark in this test, before Tuffey hammered the final nails in the coffin by removing tailenders Laxmipathy Balaji and Zaheer Khan.
The first Test at Ahmedabad was drawn.
Brief scores:
New Zealand 1st innings: 630 for six decl. (Mark Richardson 145, Lou Vincent 106, Scott Styris 119, Craig Mcmillan 100 Not Out; Anil Kumble 3-181, Harbhajan Singh 2-149).
India 1st innings: 424 all in 172 overs (Aakash Chopra 60 Virender Sehwag 130, Sachin Tendulkar 55, V V S Laxman 104; Daryl Tuffey 4-80; Vettori 2-84).
Bureau Report