Ashwin continues to torment Black Caps

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India bowled New Zealand out for 299 and then reached 18 without loss to take a firm grip of proceedings at stumps on day three of the third and final Test at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

Spinner Ravi Ashwin continued his good form as he grabbed figures of six for 81 in almost 28 overs to leave the Black Caps completely in a spin, with the deficit now at 276 runs with two days remaining.

The Kiwis, who started the morning on 28 for none, will rue the fact that they did not take advantage of a fantastic opening partnership between Martin Guptill and Tom Latham that yielded 118.

Latham (53) was the first to go  when he chipped a return catch to Ashwin, with the visitors then suffering a calamitous batting collapse that saw them lose five wickets for just 30 runs.

New Zealand will be disappointed that the strength of their batting, the middle-order, let them down badly as Kane Williamson (8), Ross Taylor (0) and Luke Ronchi (0) failed to give the scorers any work.

All-rounder James Neesham, batting at number six, saved the Black Caps’ blushes as he compiled a well-crafted 71, receiving good support from Mitchell Santner (22), Jeetan Patel (15) and Matt Henry (15 not out), but they were eventually all out just before the close.

India looked fairly comfortable in the six overs they had to face before going off, although opener Gautam Gambhir was forced to retire hurt after injuring his shoulder while fielding earlier in the day.

Murali Vijay (11 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1 not out) will resume on day four looking to extend the dominance of the home team, who are looking for a series whitewash.

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