Santner sparkles with seven wickets as NZ skittle India for 156

:A spectacular seven-wicket haul by Mitchell Santner helped New Zealand dismiss India for 156 before the tourists reached 85-2 at tea on day two of the second test in Pune on Friday to tighten their grip on the three-match series.

Tom Latham was batting on 37 and Rachin Ravindra was unbeaten on seven as the Black Caps, who won the opening match by eight wickets, extended their lead to 188 runs at the break after scoring 259 in the first innings.

Washington Sundar sent back Devon Conway for 17 while Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Will Young for 23 but runs came too easily for New Zealand, who are eyeing a strong total to boost their chances of a maiden series win in India.

India are seeking a 19th straight home series victory since a 2-1 defeat by England in 2012, but will need a battling effort to draw level with New Zealand ahead of the finale in Mumbai early next month.

Santner had earlier posted career-best figures of 7-53 while Glenn Phillips took 2-26 as spin bowlers continued to excel at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, where Washington bagged 7-59 on the first day.

The hosts resumed on 16-1 after losing captain Rohit Sharma for a nine-ball duck, and Shubman Gill was fortunate to survive a loud appeal for lbw on the third ball of the morning from Santner when he was on 10.

Back in the side after missing the series-opening defeat in Bengaluru due to a stiff neck, Gill shrugged off the early scare and went on the attack by lofting paceman Tim Southee for a six.

Santner trapped Gill plumb in front for 30 and the left-armer struck again by bowling out Virat Kohli for one with an inviting full toss that the batsman missed completely, as two quick strikes rattled India.

Yashasvi Jaiswal drove and swept the bowlers and