After a century on debut in the first innings, Shreyas Iyer notched up a gritty half-century in the second while Wriddhiman Saha too played a gritty knock, scoring an unbeaten 61, as India put on 234/7, before declaring with the lead at 283. Axar Patel too was unbeaten on 28.
In response, New Zealand lost Will Young, LBW of Ashwin in the third over of the innings. At Stumps, NZ were 4/1 after 4 overs on Day 4.
Earlier, India had a horror start on Day 4 against New Zealand in Kanpur as Cheteshwar Pujara (22), captain Ajinkya Rahane (4), Mayank Agarwal (17), and Ravindra Jadeja (0) were dismissed early before Iyer, R Ashwin Wriddhiman Saha first dropped anchor and then wrested away the advantage from the visitors.
Overnight batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal were looking to extend India’s 63-run lead on the fourth morning and started off with a 9-run over of Kyle Jamieson. The duo added a few quick runs as the lead hit the 80s before NZ turned things around.
Jamieson, who was bowling a fine spell in the first hour, got Pujara to glove a short one down leg-side to Tom Blundell and was dismissed for 22 with the DRS confirming the impact.
Mayank was then joined by captain Ajinkya Rahane, who has been under a little pressure to get runs. The captain took 14 deliveries to get going, hitting a crisp cover drive off Ajaz Patel before being trapped LBW off the next one. NZ’s bowlers had put the team on top in the early exchanges of the day and the hosts were under pressure with Shreyas Iyer joining Mayank Agarwal in the middle.
Iyer and Mayank could only add ten runs to the cause before Tim Southee got his act going in the first session with a brilliant over. Southee had Mayank caught by Tom Latham for 17 before Ravindra Jadeja was trapped LBW for a duck a couple of deliveries later. India were 51/5 at the time and in all sorts of trouble on the fourth morning.
Southee's next over though saw Ashwin and Iyer pick him off for a couple of boundaries with the off spinner driving him straight down the ground in immaculate style.
The duo continued to counter-attack in difficult conditions, adding 33 runs to the cause and somewhat steadying the ship before Lunch. India went into the break at 85/4 with the lead stretched to 133.
After the break, Ashwin and Iyer looked to continue their resistance but NZ turned to Jamieson in search of a breakthrough.
The tall pacer struck with his second delivery, as Ashwin was dismissed after the ball deflected of his bat and pad and then went on to hit the stumps. Ashwin was gone for 32 in the seventh over of the second session.
Wriddhiman Saha, who was off the field yesterday due to a stiff neck, came into bat after that and dropped anchor at his end. And with Iyer kept NZ at bay for the next hour, steadying the ship and driving the lead upwards of 160.
In Sommerville's fifth over, Saha shifted gears hitting a four and a six before Shreyas too joined in with a maximum of Ajaz.
A short while later Iyer completed his half century as India's lead touched 200, bringing back a few smiles in the dressing room.
The duo continued to frustrate NZ's bowlers putting on a 63-run partnership before Iyer was caught behind of Southee for 65.
The players took Tea with India 216 runs ahead with Wriddhiman Saha unbeaten on 22.
Iyer is the first Indian to score a century in the 1st innings and follow it up with a 50+ score in 2nd innings on debut. He scored 65 before Tim Southee dismissed him for 65 at the stroke of Tea.
After Tea, Axar Patel joined Saha and they looked further frustrate the Kiwis.
Saha went on to complete his half century as Axar played a handy knock at the other end, putting together a 67-run partnership before Rahane called the batters in. India declared at 234/7, asking NZ to chase 284 in just over a day's time.
In response, New Zealand lost Will Young, LBW of Ashwin in the third over of the innings. At Stumps, NZ were 4/1 after 4 overs on Day 4. India bowled with the spinners Axar and Ashwin in the four overs with plenty of catchers around the bat.
Tom Latham and Will Sommerville though played out the last few deliveries safely.
On the final day, NZ will need 280 more to win while India need 9 wickets.
Recap
In the first innings, India scored 345 with Shreyas Iyer scoring 105 on debut before Tim Southee picked a five-for to help clean up the tail. NZ responded with a fantastic opening stand of 151 before the Indian spinners got their act going. Axar Patel picked five wickets and R Ashwin had 3 as India bowled out the visitors for 296.
India ended Day 3 with the loss of Shubman Gill's wicket who was bowled by Kyle Jamieson for the second time in the game.
The Kanpur Test also marks the first Test under head coach Rahul Dravid.
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