Jesse Ryder reached 201 before New Zealand's declaration at 619 for nine wickets yesterday on the second day of the second cricket Test against India.

India were in trouble at stumps in reply, with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori claiming two wickets to reduce India to 79-3 after 23 overs. Vettori declared New Zealand's first innings with 90 minutes remaining in the second day's play at McLean Park.

Brendon McCullum scored 115, Vettori 55 and James Franklin 52, following Ross Taylor's 151 on the first day, as New Zealand, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, compiled their third-highest Test total.

Vettori joined the New Zealand attack after only nine overs and removed Virender Sehwag for 34 and nightwatchman Ishant Sharma for 0, then took a catch from offspinner Jeetan Patel to dismiss Gautam Gambhir for 16.

Ryder was the star of the day.

15th Test double century

The stocky left-hander, whose only other Test century (102) came two innings previously in the first innings of the first Test at Hamilton, was then out to the next ball, bowled off an inside edge by Zaheer Khan. His innings marked the 15th Test double century by a New Zealand player.

He has now scored 50 or more in four of his last five Test innings - including two centuries and has averaged 132 over a prolific period which began with his 89 in the first innings of the first Test against the West Indies in December.

"I'm pretty much speechless," Ryder said. "I wasn't expecting to go out and score a double century. I just knuckled down and played my game and it came off. The last two days just showed we're capable of getting big totals."

Indian paceman Zaheer Khan said it had been frustrating to bowl for almost two days in ideal batting conditions.

"We have given everything we have got. As a bowling unit we have tried everything," he said. "Obviously, Jesse Ryder is playing well. He scored a double hundred which was a plus for them."