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.
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
David a Pom
Guest
Not when England play them they aren't. England to win this December, before the Indians smack the flat track Aussies 4-0 as usual in Feb. Ashwin will be intimidated by our batsmen, just like last time.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Subcontinent teams win on the subcontinent, subcontinent teams are also close to incapable of winning elsewhere, I think there has been one successful tour by a subcontinent side since the start of 2014 and only one successful tour to the subcontinent by anyone else (Sri Lanka in England, and South Africa in Sri Lanka, both in about a 2 month span in 2014). I didn't look at or care about any of the basket cases of cricket, so maybe the West Indies, Zimbabwe, or Bangladesh broke this pattern by being generally rubbish, but it's irrelevant.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
It's not. But Guptill is a better bat than what he has been showing here .
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
The Poms are overrated. They will be toast too. 2012 memories may just let Cook sleep at night, but no more than that. 2016 nightmares wil take over soon after.
David a Pom
Guest
Boo Hoo the poms beat 'em in 2012 and will do so again this year. Moeen and Adil will rip a few, while Cook and Root will play Ashwin and Jadeja with ease. Australia, however, will los 4-0 with Lyon going at 4 an over.
Beezlebub
Guest
Winning in India, not an easy task for anyone?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
India are a juggernaut at home. Kiwis have had their moments but overall they've been steamrolled. A similar fate awaits Australia in a few months. Great to see Ronchi making some runs. He's an unfairly maligned player I reckon - was a gun for W.A. for many years.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
The Kiwis are toast. Poor batting at the top.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Well - not the start the Black Caps needed in the 'run chase'.