IND v NZ, Day 3: Axar Patel's Fifer Helps India Bowl New Zealand Out, Take Lead By 63 Runs

India's spin trio, led by Axar Patel's fifer, kept the batters guessing as they bowled New Zealand out for 296 and finished day 3 with a lead of 63 runs here in Green Park Stadium, Kanpur. 

Resuming the day at 129/0, Tom Latham and Will Young continued to display their defensive skills. India started with Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin. 

While Ishant bowled the defensive lines, Ashwin asked questions from the first over itself. There were many close calls throughout Ashwin's spell but on most occasions, the ball didn't carry to the close-in fielders. 

However, India and Ashwin finally got the much-deserved breakthrough in the form of Will Young, who got caught behind while at 89. The ball didn't bounce much and stand-in wicketkeeper KS Bharat had to take a low catch at ankle height. 

Kane Williamson joined Latham, who had added 151 with Young for the opening wicket, at the crease. The duo then went on to add 46 runs from 117 balls for the second wicket. Both Williamson and Latham were looking solid going into the lunch. 

India delayed taking the second new ball by four overs. Axar Patel bowled the first over with the new ball and Umesh bowled the second over and took the wicket on the third ball. The Lunch was taken immediately. 

Tom Latham was joined by Ross Taylor in the post-lunch session. Axar Patel shared the new ball with Umesh and the duo continued to cramp the batters by bowling tight lines, keeping the close-in fielders interested in every ball. Patel reaped rewards for continuously troubling the batters as Taylor edged one to the substitute keeper KS Bharat. 

In Axar's next over, new batter Henry Nicholls was struck in front while trying to sweep the ball from the stump line. 

Latham, on the other end, was looking solid as ever but the tight bowling and lack of runs on the scoreboard made him try to do something different. For some time, Latham had been stepping out of the crease to reach the ball. He did the same thing against Axar but missed the ball and KS Bharat did sharp stumping. Latham scored a brilliant 95 from 282 balls. 

Debutant Rachin Ravindra tried to dig in but was clean bowled by Ravindra Jadeja. He scored 13. Tom Blundell got stuck at the crease and was looking solid with his defense but Axar proved too good for him as well. Blundell's 94-ball-13 run innings was ended with a clean bowled. Patel got Tim Southee out in a similar fashion two overs later to pick his fifth five-wicket haul of his test career. 

Kyle Jamieson, who was playing his first test in India, looked good for his 23 runs from 75 balls. William Somerville also supported him as the two survived 68 balls to add 14 runs for the ninth wicket. R Ashwin wrapped the New Zealand innings to give India a lead of 49 runs. 

Indian openers Shubman Gill and Mayank Agarwal came into bat for five overs. It was a tough period to bat and Kyle Jamieson & Tim Southee made sure India didn't settle. Jamieson bowled Gill in his first over to become the fast Kiwi to pick 50 wickets. Cheteshwar Pujara and Agarwal survived the final 10 minutes before stumps were called. 

Brief Scorecard: 

India - 345/10 & 14/1 
New Zealand - 296/10