With a 215-run lead, India’s grip on the Test is absolutely firm.
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Virat Kohli did not look comfortable against Santner but it was off-spinner Mark Craig who dismissed the Indian skipper when he attempted a slog-sweep that found Ish Sodhi at deep midwicket. Murali Vijay (64) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50) helped them to 159 for one.
Ashwin is expected to add more to the wickets column as India are schedule to play 13 Tests this home season. India loses 4th wicket.
New Zealand then slumped to 3-2 in reply as Ashwin immediately posed a major threat. When most balls are gripping the surface and turning, you tend to play outside or inside the line depending on the bowler.
Ashwin then removed skipper Williamson who had looked set for a fightback innings – a quick delivery snuck in sees Williamson missing the line completely to be caught with his foot in front of the wicket.
The two teams’ first innings nearly mirrored each other. Both batsmen had dealt with a wearing pitch with high-quality batting, using a position of advantage to play doubt-free cricket.
New Zealand went to lunch 238 for 5, and had moved to 255 for 5 when Ashwin came back into the attack to bowl the seventh over of the session. Ashwin, who took the new ball alongside Mohammed Shami, put paid to those plans in only his second over.
With Williamson gone lbw for 25, went a large chunk of New Zealand’s hopes.
Guptill was unlucky as he got an inside edge onto his pads and the ball lobbed into the hands of Murali Vijay at short leg. Jadeja was on a hat-trick but Trent Boult survived a ball to return to the pavilion on the very next from Jadeja for a naught. BJ Watling joined Santner and the last recognised batting pair also stuck it out, resisting gamely. But, as is the case in Tests, a fresh day, a new spell, a rejuvenated effort is all it takes to turn the tables. They beat the outside edge four times in the first five overs before Ashwin struck the first blow. The plan was to get him out early.
There never was any question of a Kiwi win after that 433-run target on a pitch that was asking questions on every ball that was bowled. On pitches where the ball skids through or there is uneven bounce, he becomes nearly unplayable. He unfurled his trademark swords dance celebration after getting to the milestone before Kohli called his team in to have a cup of tea before beginning their second crack at the New Zealand batsmen. The ball went with the arm, and Richard Kettleborough did not hesitate to uphold Jadeja’s lbw appeal.
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Who do you think will get the better of day four? Rahane became Santner’s second victim, but that only brought Rohit and Jadeja together for the day’s most rollicking stand.
