Jadeja, Ashwin put India on top

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin helped India gain control of the first Test against New Zealand before the hosts stretched the second innings lead to 215 on the third day in Kanpur on Saturday.

India, who are playing their 500th Test match, were 159 for one at stumps with opener Murali Vijay on 64 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 50 going strong.

The batting duo put together an unbeaten 107-run stand for the second wicket to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.

But it was Jadeja and Aswhin, sharing nine wickets between them, who spun it around for India after bowling out New Zealand, who lost their last five wicket for seven runs, for 262 in their first innings and securing a vital 56-run lead.

Off-spinner Ashwin, who took four wickets, made the vital breakthrough by dismissing Kane Williamson, who scored 75, that turned the tables for the hosts.

The spin twins continued to wreak havoc after the first session as Jadeja, who was denied a hat-trick, wiped off the opposition tail after taking three wickets in the 95th over of the innings.