Internet Desk: It was the day for the Indian super spinners on the third day of the first test against New Zealand in Kanpur. The spinner duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin gave India a crucial lead of 56 runs after getting the Kiwis bundled out for 262 runs in first innings. At the close of play India were 159/1 with Murli Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara both batting at 64 (162 balls) and 50 (80 balls) respectively.
In a dramatic turn-around the Indian spinners turned the table and took 4 wickets in the last 10 deliveries forcing New Zealand all-out for 262 runs on the third day of the First test in Kanpur. New Zealand was looking rock solid with 255 for 5 and suddenly collapsed to 262 all out. Seeing the nature of the pitch the lead of 215 runs already seems to be quite sizeable. The second session of play exemplified that how quickly wickets could fall against precise bowling. Ravindra Jadeja leads the bowling scorecard with 5 for 73 runs, ably supported by Ravichandran Ashwin who returned 4 for 79. Ravindra Jadeja got his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests, and a third on the trot in first-class innings.
In their second innings the hosts came out with intent. Rahul started the show with a brisk hand 34(50 balls) and Murali Vijay (64*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50*) did what they did in the first innings – build a solid partnership, but in brisk fashion.
Ravi Chandran Ashwin gave India the first breakthrough by taking the wicket of Tom Latham, getting him plumbed in front of the wicket for 58 runs. Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner with 32 and 38 each respectively tried to put on a fight but didn’t last long as they fell prey to Jadeja and Ashwin.
The Indian team management seemed to be pretty satisfied.
Talking at the post days play, Ravichandran Ashwin said, “Pleased as punch. We have a very very good Test match day today; We thought the rain [yesterday] was a momentum breaker. But this morning we broke them down. We were creating a lot of opportunities before the break yesterday and they had the momentum.
Ashwin also added that, “I made a shift in line, that was a conscious effort, against Latham this morning. I think the first 20 overs, when the ball has some gloss, it doesn’t break. And then depending on how well you hold the seam together, it breaks more after 40 overs. In general the Kiwi left-handers play differently. They plonk the front leg down straight rather than cover, so I adjusted to that and when the ball turns they are in trouble.”
With two more days in hand India could well look to win the First test if they put up a sizeable amount of runs in the second innings. With nine wickets remaining India in home conditions surely is on the driver’s seat after the third day of the First test.