Kanpur, Sep 24 (IANS) Murali Vijay (64 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50 not out) struck half-centuries as India scored 159 for one, taking a hefty lead of 215 against New Zealand on the third day of the first Test match at the Green Park stadium here on Saturday.
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\r\nEarlier in the day, spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja ran through New Zealand's batting line-up that was bowled out for 262. Resuming the day at 153\/1, the visitors were floored by left-armer Jadeja (5\/73) and off-spinner Ashwin (4\/93).
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\r\nAfter taking a 56-run first innings lead, India were further driven by the 107-run unbeaten partnership between Pujara and Vijay in a match that was fairly partial to the spinners.
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\r\nHowever, credit needs to be given to the spinners who came back strongly on the third day, after a bad second day's play. Skipper Virat Kohli's decision of starting the day's proceedings with spinners paid off well for the hosts.
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\r\nResuming the day from 152 for one, Kiwi batters got off to a bad start as both the Indian spinners created problems for them with their turn and bounce.
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\r\nThe disciplined bowling of Ashwin got him a wicket at the start as he plumbed overnight batsman Tom Latham at 58 while Jadeja struck the new batsman Ross Taylor in the very next over via leg before.
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\r\nJust when the Kiwi batters seemed at ease at the crease, Ashwin produced another beauty to rip off dangerous Kane Williamson's off stump. New Zealand were now reeling at 170\/4 in just eight overs.
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\r\nThe dismissals of Latham (58) and Kane Williamson (70) was crucial as the duo had put up an 135-run stand and was threatening to take the match away.
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\r\nThe Kiwi's middle order -- Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner and B.J. Watling -- somehow tried to hold their innings together but they only managed to score 38, 32 and 21 respectively.
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\r\nAfter that there was no looking back for India as Jadeja ran through the visitor's lower order, taking three wickets in an over to wrap up the innings.
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\r\nJadeja finished with yet another five-for, while Ashwin scalped four wickets as both the spinners together accounted for nine wickets to give the hosts a 56 run lead in the first innings.
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\r\nIndia's openers added 52 before opener Lokesh Rahul's stay was cut short by leg-spinner Ish Sodhi for 38 runs.
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\r\nThe ball glanced off the high part of the bat and Ross Taylor took an outstanding catch at slip to bring the second session to an end.
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\r\nThen Pujara and Vijay joined hands and a smooth partnership flourished. Their partnership began with a flurry of boundaries and that little spell of play dashed the Kiwi's hopes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cricketers with their Cute Daughters<\/span><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n