India grabbed control of the first Test against New Zealand after two remarkable sessions on day three, taking nine wickets for just 103 runs on the way to bowling the visitors out for 262 in the first innings. After reducing the Kiwis to 238/5 at lunch, India took less than an hour in the second session to wrap up the innings. This included an incredible collapse of 24/5 after the lunch break. The hosts thus got themselves a handy lead of 56 runs. Considering this pitch is deteriorating, that lead was as good as 100.

The Indian openers, KL Rahul (38) and Murali Vijay (14 not out), then played good, positive cricket for more than an hour and looked like they would go into the tea break with their partnership unbeaten. However, Rahul, who had been the aggressor out of the two, threw his wicket away in the last over before tea, edging Mark Craig to first slip.

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India have added 52 runs to their lead, making it 108 so far. Anything above 250 will be very difficult to chase for the visitors, who will be batting last on this wicket. However, the Indians will be looking to set a target of at least 300 to be safe.

It has been an incredible turnaround in this Test match, after New Zealand won four straight sessions following lunch on day one. After bowling India out for 318, New Zealand were 159/1 at one stage, before Ravindra Jadeja (5/73) and Ravichandran Ashwin (4/93) finally decided to show up. India still trail 3-4 with regard to sessions won, but are well ahead in the context of the match.

Jadeja recorded his fifth five-wicket haul in Test matches on the way, proving again how crucial and influential he is in home conditions – 55 of his 76 Test wickets have come in India. With four leg-befores and one caught close to the bat in this innings, Jadeja was relentless in his line and length, targeting the stumps and making the batsmen play. He also varied his pace very well, keeping the batsmen guessing. With his counterattacking 42 not out with the bat, added to his 5/73 with the ball, he is in top spot in the Man of the Match contenders list.