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New Zealand were 255 all out in their second innings on Saturday and were within touching distance of a historic Test series win in India, with the hosts posting a daunting 359 for victory.

The Black Caps continued on day three of the second Test at 198-5 and despite being sent off on a turning point in the first hour of play, India needed a miracle in Pune.

India’s most successful Test run at home was 387 against England in Chennai in 2008.

New Zealand lead the three-match series 1-0 and have never won a Test series in India.

Indian spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja shared seven wickets between them, with Jadeja dropping three of the five on Saturday morning.

Glenn Phillips hit an unbeaten 48 after starting the day with nine.

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell added 11 to his overnight 30 before being bowled by Jadeja.

Jadeja soon got Mitchell Santner for a four and Ravichandran Ashwin beat Tim Southee for a duck.

The inning ended with William O’Rourke run out, leaving Phillips stranded after four fours and two sixes.

Skipper Tom Latham top scored with 86 points.

Left-arm spinner Santner gave New Zealand a commanding lead with 7-53 on the second day, defeating India by 156.

India are facing their first home Test series defeat since December 2012, when Alastair Cook’s England beat them 2-1 in a four-match series.

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