India extend lead to 308 against New Zealand

KANPUR: India lost three wickets to New Zealand´s spinners but extended their lead to 308 with six second-innings wickets in hand at lunch Sunday, tightening their grip on the first Test.

India, who started the fourth day on 159 for one, were 252 for four at the break at Kanpur, with Ajinkya Rahane on 21 and Rohit Sharma on 12.

Overnight batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 78, and Murali Vijay earlier put on 133 for the second wicket for the hosts, who are playing their 500th Test.

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner struck early for the visitors, trapping Vijay lbw for 76 to break the big partnership.

Vijay, who added just 12 runs to his overnight score, was done in by a sliding delivery as he played for the turn.

Skipper Virat Kohli did not last long, top-edging a slog sweep off Mark Craig to depart for 18.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi claimed the prized wicket of Pujara off a ball that spun from outside the leg stump to take the edge of the bat and carry to the slips.

India´s own spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin had put the hosts in a commanding position on Saturday after New Zealand were bowled out for 262 in their first innings in response to India´s 318.

Jadeja, who recorded his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests, and Ashwin shared nine wickets between them.