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India vs New Zealand highlights: International Cricket, 1st Test – Day 4 live scores

25th September, 2016
First ball: 2pm (AEST)
Venue: Green Park, Kanpur
TV: Live, Fox Sports 4
Betting: India $1.13, Draw $5.60, New Zealand $27
Overall Record: Played 56, India 18, New Zealand 10, Draw 26

India (squad)
Virat Kohli (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav

New Zealand (squad)
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling
Virat Kohli managed a ton against England but couldn't save the match. (AFP PHOTO / MARTY MELVILLE)
Expert
25th September, 2016
9

With a strong top order effort in their second innings, India have moved themselves into a dominant position in the first Test against New Zealand who will need a massive turnaround after a poor finish yesterday. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 4 from 2pm (AEST).

The match looked to be evenly poised heading out of the first two days, but India took control yesterday with a strong bowling performance and then an even better batting effort by their top order.

After India recorded 318 in their first innings, New Zealand would have been feeling fairly confident, especially when they had reached 1 for 152 at the end of Day 2 with Kane Williamson batting well and still at the crease.

Things went downhill from there though, with Williamson out for 75, and the rest of the order falling away as they got knocked over for 262, with Ravi Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin taking nine wickets between them.

Having to bat last, the Kiwis really had to record some form of first innings lead, and without it their bowling effort in the second innings had to be perfect, but it has been far from that thus far on a wicket that is really starting to take turn.

India had reached 1 for 159 by stumps, giving them a lead of 215 with Murali Vijay getting to 64 from 152, and batting incredibly patiently. Along with Cheteshwar Pujara, they have built India’s innings fantastically.

New Zealand’s spinners must stand up today, but even then a draw looks to be their best bet.

Despite all that, there is rain forecast for the evening session. While that might extend the match, New Zealand are still right up against it.

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Prediction
India find themselves in a commanding position, and the ease they batted with yesterday afternoon suggests that won’t change. If New Zealand’s spin attack don’t stand up then this could get a little ugly.

Expect India to have declared their second innings shut before the end of play, so long as they bat that far with a lead over 400 and New Zealand’s only chance to get something out of the match a big second innings effort that buys them a draw.

Drawing the match, in a three-match series away from home will be massively important for the Kiwis, but India should win it from here.

Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of Day 4 from 2pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below as the action unfolds in Kanpur.

Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde

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