India build lead in New Zealand Test after Jadeja, Ashwin heroics

India stretched their second innings lead to 108 at tea after spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin helped bowl out New Zealand for 262 on the third day of the first Test in Kanpur on Saturday.

India were 52 for one at the break with opener Murali Vijay batting on 14.

Lokesh Rahul, who batted well for his 38 runs laced with eight boundaries, got out to New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi.

Earlier Jadeja, who registered his fifth five-wicket haul, and Ashwin shared nine wickets between them to derail the opposition reply at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium.

Ashwin got overnight batsmen Tom Latham and Kane Williamson in the morning session to hurt the Black Caps, who started the day on 152 for one.

The spin twins continued to wreak havoc after lunch as Jadeja, who was denied a hat-trick, wiped off the opposition tail after taking three wickets in the 95th over of the innings.

New Zealand lost five wickets for just seven runs as they nosedived from 255 for five to pack up in 95.5 overs.

The 124-run second-wicket partnership between Williamson, who top-scored with 75, and Latham, who contributed 58, remained the highlight of the New Zealand innings.

Source: AFP