Dravid demands more from India

Rahul Dravid en route to a half-century. He called on India to press home their advantage tomorrow

Rahul Dravid set his sights on a first-innings lead in excess of 150 after India assumed control of the opening Test against New Zealand in Hamilton.

Dravid was one of three players to pass 50 on the second day at Seddon Park as the tourists closed on 278 for four - one shy of New Zealand’s total.

And he is keen for India to further strengthen their hold on this game when play resumes tomorrow, with Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 70.

"The more runs the merrier," said Dravid. “The wicket is going to remain the same right through and it is not easy to score runs against a harder and newer ball.

"Sachin is batting well and Yuvraj (Singh) and (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni can both accumulate runs, so if we can get 150 ahead it would be fantastic.

"But we need to do the basics right and not worry about the runs. We need to get through the new ball tomorrow.”

India made steady progress against a workmanlike New Zealand attack, of whom Chris Martin was the most impressive with 2-53 from 20 overs.

“They pitched the ball in the right areas and there was something in the wicket right through,” Dravid added.

“But in terms of runs we did quite well and we are pretty happy with the score. Maybe if we had lost one wicket less it would have been an ideal scenario for us, but we have our noses slightly ahead at this stage.

“There is plenty of time left in this match and if we bat well in the first session tomorrow and build a lead, hopefully we can put pressure on them in the third innings.”

Dravid was pleased with his own contribution; he made 66, sharing a stand of 105 for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir.

"It was one of those wickets when you felt you were not totally in control but I felt good today,” he said.

"My feet were really moving well and I got into right positions through the day. I was scoring at a fairly decent clip, but I got a pretty good one at that stage.

"Overall, I am quite satisfied, although it would have been nice to go on and get a big score.”