A remarkable performance by Mitchell Santner, who claimed a stunning seven-wicket haul, saw New Zealand dismiss India for 156. The tourists then reached 198-5 at stumps on day two of the second test in Pune on Friday, strengthening their hold on the three-match series.

Tom Blundell remained unbeaten on 30, while Glenn Phillips was at the crease on nine. The Black Caps, who won the series opener by eight wickets, extended their lead to 301 runs by the close, having scored 259 in their first innings.

Washington Sundar managed to dismiss Devon Conway for 17, Rachin Ravindra for nine, and Daryl Mitchell for 18. Ravichandran Ashwin also contributed by removing Will Young for 23. However, the runs came too easily for New Zealand, who continued to dominate.

New skipper Tom Latham, who returned to form with a timely 86, became Washington's fourth victim late in the afternoon. This left the tourists in a strong position to secure their maiden series victory in India.

India, aiming for their 19th consecutive home series victory since their 2-1 defeat by England in 2012, will need a strong performance to level the series before the finale in Mumbai early next month.

Earlier, Santner had posted career-best figures of 7-53, while Phillips claimed 2-26, as the spinners continued to excel at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Washington Sundar had taken 7-59 on the first day.

The hosts resumed on 16-1 after losing captain Rohit Sharma for a nine-ball duck. Shubman Gill, who returned after missing the series-opening defeat in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck, survived an early scare and went on the attack, hitting a six off Tim Southee.

Santner trapped Gill plumb in front for 30 and then bowled out Virat Kohli for one with an inviting full toss. Yashasvi Jaiswal appeared more comfortable at the other end, though he was fortunate when his slog sweep off Ajaz Patel fell in no man's land.

Mitchell took a sharp catch at slip as Phillips dismissed Jaiswal for 30. Rishabh Pant was bowled for 18 by Phillips after a loose shot, and Santner had Sarfaraz caught for 11, leaving India struggling at 95-6.

Santner trapped Ashwin lbw for four and removed Ravindra Jadeja in similar fashion after the batsman made a defiant 38. He then snared Jasprit Bumrah for a duck, ensuring New Zealand would start their second innings with a lead of 103 runs.

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