New Zealand sets India a mammoth 359-run target in 2nd cricket test test

PUNE, India (AP) — Yashasvi Jaiswal stroked a breezy 46 not out off 36 balls as India reached 81-1 in its second innings at lunch on day three of the second cricket test on Saturday, chasing 359 runs for victory over New Zealand.

India set a hectic pace in the fourth innings as Jaiswal struck three fours and three sixes in the short session prior to the break. India needed another 278 runs to win and equal the three-match series, which New Zealand leads 1-0 after its eight-wicket win in Bengaluru.

Jaiswal put on 47 off 38 balls for the second wicket with Shubman Gill, who was unbeaten on 22 runs off 20 balls at the break.

Skipper Rohit Sharma was out caught at short leg for eight runs, becoming left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner’s eighth dismissal in the test.

Earlier, New Zealand was bowled out for 255 runs in 69.4 overs in its second innings. Starting from overnight 198-5, the Black Caps lost quick wickets in the first hour of play.

Ravindra Jadeja got back into some form, picking up three wickets on day three, and he finished with 3-72 after going wicketless in the first innings.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's captain Rohit Sharma plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner , centre, celebrates the dismissal of India's captain Rohit Sharma with his team mates during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's captain Rohit walks off the field after losing his wicket during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner ,second from right, celebrates the dismissal of India's captain Rohit Sharma with his team mates during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's Shubman Gill plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the day three of the second cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium , in Pune, India, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — When JJ Redick was hired as the Los Angeles Lakers coach, he said one of his early goals was to make Anthony Davis the offensive hub.

Two games into Redick's tenure, things are going according to plan.

With 35 points Friday night in a 123-116 victory over the Phoenix Suns, Davis joined Jerry West and Elgin Baylor as the only Lakers to score at least 35 points in the first two games of a season.

“Guys are making big-time shots. We’re making the right plays,” said Davis, who also had eight rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. “Honestly, the schematic that JJ put in has helped me out and is helping everyone out. We just have so much space and we’re having fun doing it.”

There was only one stretch last season where Davis had back-to-back, 35-point games. He had 36 points and 16 rebounds in the Lakers' 110-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

The game Friday had more drama.

The Lakers fell behind by 22 points in the second quarter as Phoenix hit 21 of its first 30 shots. Los Angeles though made adjustments on defense and closed the deficit to 61-52 at halftime before rallying in the second half to get its first 2-0 start in 14 years.

Reddick said one of the reasons why the Lakers were able to rally was Davis' patience despite the early deficit.

“There’s a comfort level and a confidence level that he has that if the game starts getting wacky, he knows the ball is going to come back to him,” Reddick said.

In a game that also provided an early test for first-time coach Reddick and his staff, Davis was impressed with how Reddick handled the early adversity.

“Down 22, that's when the trust and coaching has to kick in," Davis said. "JJ coming into the huddle and telling us to settle down because we know what we're doing wrong on turnovers and transition. Him not panicking, obviously, makes us not panic. We're trusting what he's doing and the schemes he's putting in on both ends of the floor.”

Reddick is the Lakers' first coach since Phil Jackson in 1999 to win his first two games.

Davis' increased role has helped ease some pressure off LeBron James while also allowing Austin Reaves' game to continue to grow.

James started 2 of 6 from the field, but had 11 points in the third quarter and finished with 21.

“It’s our job to go and execute. We have to earn their trust. We have to execute and continue to get more and more focused," James said. “It’s very important that he (Davis) has been a focal point for us. Offensively we have to find him in multiple places on the floor throughout the whole game. And we’ve done that in two games.”

Reaves, who got a 6 a.m. text from Reddick saying he could have a big game, had 26 points, including five 3-pointers.

“He knows the rhythm of the game as a players coach,” Reaves said about Reddick. “I believe the staff has a very IQ and sees the game with a player’s mindset.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) fight for a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis, right, listen to the national anthem before an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) goes to the basket against Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)