New Zealand have the advantage at the end of Day 3 of the World Test Championship against India, trailing just over 100 runs with eight wickets in hand.
The start of the day was better than expected for the Kiwis at Southampton.
Kyle Jamieson got the better of India captain Virat Kohli as he did not let his RCB skipper bother the scorers.
After Kohli departed without adding any run to his overnight score of 44, the Indian batting line-up was wide open in front of the ‘Four Horsemen Of Swing.
Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Jamieson and Trent Boult were all over the Indians who crumbled in the overcast conditions.
As a result, the famed Indian batting line-up was dismantled for 217.
Ajinkya Rahane provided the only resistance, apart from Kohli.
The vice-captain missed his half-century by a run though he was playing fluently and looked pleasing to the eye with his elegant drives.
With two days in hand, NZ are 106/2, trailing by 116 runs.
Unfortunately, the inaugural WTC is heading towards a draw.
The first day had no play due to rain, bad light suspended the play on Day 2 with 64 overs bowled and weather is likely to interrupt the proceedings on Day 4 (tomorrow) as well.
Jamieson runs riot
Playing only his eighth Test match, Kyle Jamieson showed sheer control and resilience with the ball.
He mixed it up with pace deliveries and late out-swingers that caught the batsmen napping.
He bagged his career’s fifth five-for (second against India), denying the opposition, the extra 70 to 80 runs they were gunning for.
Sadly, this did not settle well with some Indian fans who resorted to abuse on the Kiwis fast-bowler’s social media accounts.
The NZ star has now dethroned Ravi Ashwin (4) to become the bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in the WTC cycle.
Not to forget that three of these wickets were of Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, the biggest game-changers in the entire Indian squad.
Conway delivers the goods again
How good is the addition of Devon Conway for New Zealand?
The left-hander burst into the scene nowhere, made the headlines with his double ton over England in the away tour and has now chipped in a gritty fifty-plus score.
The opener looked brilliant for his composed 54 (153) before Ishant Sharma had him caught.
His opening stand with Tom Latham was crucial for NZ who needed their openers to set the tone at the top.
Williamson is the key
Kiwis skipper Kane Williamson is at the crease with veteran batsman Ross Taylor.
Although the talisman has been out of form, his presence on the pitch will be a major threat to India’s hopes of making a comeback into the one-off Test.
Williamson is unarguably the key to NZ’s success.
If he doesn’t falter on Day 4, he could propel the side to a big total, and then possibly have a go at India after an early declaration.
