The spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin exploited the turning track at Green Park to its fullest as the team bundled out New Zealand for 262. India took firm control of the first Test by extending their overall lead to 215 on Saturday.
Jadeja (5/73) dismissed three batsmen in one over for a five-wicket haul while R. Ashwin (4/93) grabbed four wickets.
At stumps, India were 159/1 in their second innings which gave them an overall lead of 215. India lost K.L. Rahul (38) before Murali Vijay (64) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50) scored briskly to put the hosts in command.
New Zealand started the day at a strong 152 for one but lost four wickets in the morning session. Their last five batsmen were dismissed for just 24 runs in the second session as Indian spinners ruled the roost.
While the Kiwis struggled to negotiate spin on a deteriorating track, the Indians were hardly troubled in their second innings, with Pujara and Vijay going for their shots.
The Kiwi bowlers toiled without success post tea as Vijay and Pujara raised an unbeaten 107-run stand for the second wicket, scoring all these runs in the last session.
Vijay’s knock came off 152 balls with seven shots to the ropes and one over it while Pujara struck eight boundaries in his 80-ball stay so far.
It was this pair of Pujara and Vijay that had troubled the visitors with their resolute half-centuries in the first innings as well.
