Just as New Zealanders look like they got grip on match, Jadeja (5/73) and Ashwin (4/93) strike to earn India 56-run lead; hosts 159/1 at stumps on Day Three
Fresh arms, fresh ideas and fresh approach by Team India was at display as R Ashwin started the proceedings on Day Three of the first Test here at the Green Park stadium on Saturday.
The first few deliveries were clear indication of what to expect as there were more than few demons in the dry 22-yard surface. With his partner at the other end, Ravindra Jadeja, squeezing the flow of runs, the Black Caps appeared to be struggling. The next nine overs changed the entire course of first Test as three of the top Kiwis batters, including solid looking Kane Williamson (75) and Tom Latham (58), went back to the pavilion.
All of a sudden, the brilliant partnership of 127 for the second wicket looked like a distant memory. What was happening in the middle was simply a lesson in "how not to play spin" as the visitors folded up, from 152 for one, for 262.
More than the damage done by two Indian spinners, the Kiwis were hit by the hara-kiri committed by the Kiwi late-order batsmen losing last five wickets for just seven runs.
But it was the wicket of Williamson (75) that turned things around for the hosts. Ashwin managed to drop one right on the spot outside off-stump to spin it across to the batsman committed to his back foot.
Luke Ronchi steadied the innings with some patient 38 before Jadeja got him leg-before to break the 49-run fifth-wicket partnership before lunch. Mitchell Santner contributed 32 while wicket-keeper batsman BJ Watling put up fighting 21 before the tail-enders failed to show any courage against Indian spinners.
Ross Taylor must be the only one cursing his luck as he was given leg-before off Jadeja for a delivery which was following arm path after pitching at middle-leg stump.
Jadeja finished with five for 73 while the more impressive Ashwin picked up four for 93.
With a first innings lead of 56, Indian batsmen pasted 159 more for the loss of Lokesh Rahul at the draw of stumps to make sure that the New Zealanders will have an arduous task of escaping from defeat here.
Free-flowing runs
The first three overs after tea proved costly for the visitors as Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig went for seven boundaries that allowed Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara to cut loose. Indian score was swelling at five-an-over (72 to be precise) rate during the course of 15 overs bowled before the drinks interval.
Williamson was even seen throwing the ball towards Martin Guptill in a desperate attempt to stop the run flow. Neil Wagner only succeeded in slowing down the pace of runs, giving 17 off his eight overs. Otherwise, offie Craig and leggie Sodhi got punished, going for 48 off 11 and 29 off seven, respectively.
Vijay ended the day unbeaten on 64, Pujara remained not out on 50, and the India's command over the Test is unquestionable.
Hard day for Kiwis
Now, all that is left for hosts is to decide what target is to be given to the Black Caps on Sunday. With six complete sessions remaining, India is comfortably placed.
The way wicket has put doubts in the minds of New Zealander cricketers, the two Indian spinners appear capable of completing what might be appear to be just a formality unless skipper Williamson or batting coach Craig McMillan impart some important batting tips to the side.
The tourists will probably have to look at the recordings of time when their skipper along with Tom Latham used footwork to great adavntage against the two Indian spinners.
The art of stepping out against spin has been lost in the Twenty20 wave and all the visiting teams, except that of England, have been seen surrendering cheaply on Indian wickets in the last six years.
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