Ashwin and Iyer ease India’s nerves after Southee’s double-strike

At lunch on day 4, India led by way of 133 runs with 5 wickets in hand

Lunch India 345 and 84 for five (Ashwin 20*, Iyer 18*, Jamieson 2-21, Southee 2-27) lead New Zealand 296 by way of 133 runs

Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson rocked India’s batting line-up on a sluggish fourth-day pitch, lowering the hosts to 51 for five at one level in their 2nd innings, within the first Take a look at in Kanpur.

Shreyas Iyer and R Ashwin then added an unbroken 33 for the 6th wicket to offer India some reduction, taking them to 84 for five at lunch, with their lead now 133.

Beginning the day on 14 for 1, Cheteshwar Pujara and Mayank Agarwal had been presented some freebies at the pads as Jamieson and Southee bowled immediately with a catching quick midwicket in position. Whilst Agarwal struggled, Pujara made just right use of the alternatives and moved to 22 off 32 balls.

Then again, Jameison then banged one quick, and although the ball used to be angling down the leg aspect, Pujara ended up fending at it and gloved it to the wicketkeeper. The on-field umpire dominated it now not out however New Zealand were given the verdict overturned on overview.

Ajinkya Rahane had scored a treasured 35 within the first innings however on Sunday, he did not glance comfy on the crease. He opened his account off his 14th ball with a 4 off Ajaz Patel however fell off the following ball, enjoying for flip and getting struck at the pad by way of one who went on with the arm from the left-arm spinner.

Coming again for his 2nd spell of the day, Southee drew the outdoor fringe of Iyer’s bat straightaway, however the ball went for 4 during the hole between the wicketkeeper and a large first slip. That induced New Zealand to have a extra typical slip cordon, and shortly there used to be some other alternative. In Southee’s subsequent over, Agarwal edged an outswinger to 2nd slip, the place Tom Latham took a tumbling catch to his left.

Two balls later, Southee jolted India additional by way of pushing aside Ravindra Jadeja lbw from across the wicket. With part the aspect again within the pavilion and it now not being transparent then if Wriddhiman Saha – who used to be off the sphere on day 3, nursing a stiff neck – would bat, India’s lead of 100 appeared paltry.

Iyer and Ashwin, even though, eased one of the power by way of hitting 4 fours within the subsequent 3 overs, and performed out the remainder of the consultation with out additional injury.