Martin burst leaves India reeling

New Zealand ended the fourth day dreaming of a famous win in Ahmedabad after India's vaunted batting proved no match against an inspired Chris Martin, whose ninth five-wicket haul left the home side effectively at 110 for 6.

Gautam Gambhir made his third successive second-innings duck, inside-edging Martin to the keeper. On a pitch which had till then seemed comatose, Martin got the ball to jag in appreciably, forcing the batsmen to play cautiously.

It got even better for New Zealand as a tentative Dravid poked at a ball outside off from Martin that held its line to feather it to the keeper. India went in to tea at 2 for 3, but were comforted on seeing the man in form, Sachin Tendulkar, pick off ten runs off a Martin over soon after the break.

That proved only a temporary relief as yet another Martin indipper took Tendulkar's inside-edge on its way to the leg stump. Martin greeted new man Suresh Raina with a surprise bouncer, and then slipped in a fuller delivery the next over; Raina was caught on the crease and nicked a drive to slip. India were 15 for 5 - India's second-worst score at five down in their Test history - and there could have been further trouble when Dhoni was struck high on the pads three balls later by yet another incutter.

Martin wasn't done for the day, though, and an effort-ball from him produced some extra bounce and Dhoni chopped the ball onto the stumps. At 65 for 6, New Zealand were fancying their chances of victory.