STUMPS - DAY 3

India 18-0 (6 ovs) & 557-5d vs NZ 299 | Scorecard

At stumps on Day 3, India have reached 18 for no loss in six overs in their second innings to stretch their lead to 276 runs.

Vijay was unbeaten on 11 at stumps, while Pujara was on one after Gambhir was forced to retire with injury on six in the third over.

Earlier, Ashwin claimed six for 81 and had a hand in two run outs to bundle out New Zealand for 299, giving India a huge lead of 258 runs.

India didn't enforce the follow-on and preferred to continue batting on a pitch getting increasingly difficult for batsmen.

New Zealand were placed at 118 for no loss at one stage before Ashwin triggered a top order collapse in the post-lunch session with a four-wicket burst.

Jimmy Neesham hit a brisk 71 to save the Kiwis some blushes before Jadeja claimed a couple of wickets to finish off the lower order.

India will look to score around 150 on Day 4 and put New Zealand in to bat somewhere in the post-lunch session, giving themselves atleast four sessions to bowl out the Kiwis.

India 18-0 (6 ovs) & 557-5d vs NZ 299 | Scorecard

Boult from round the wicket, bowling it full to Vijay and trying to cut it in sharply into the right-hander.

Vijay takes a single on the off-side before Gambhir taps it square on the leg side for two runs. Infact, he has aggravated his shoulder injury as he dives to make his ground for the second run.

The physio comes out to attend before Gambhir decides to walk off the field with injury and Cheteshwar Pujara has to walk in.

Gambhir retires hurt with a shoulder injury and is replaced by Pujara at the crease with India's score on 11-0 in the third over.

Vijay gets the first official warning from umpire Oxenford as he taps the ball on the off-side and runs straight down the danger area on the pitch. He was earlier spoken to by the umpires and this time he got the warning.

He comes down the track to the last ball and lofts the last ball over mid-off for a four.

Mitchell Santner to bowl the final over of the day. Vijay taps the first ball on the off-side and takes a single, taking utmost care to get out of the danger area while crossing the pitch.

Pujara is content to block the rest of the over. Infact, he survives a huge caught behind appeal off the last ball as he tried to cut but was beaten.

India 8-0 (2 ovs) & 557-5d vs NZ 299 | Scorecard

Surprisingly Gambhir walks out to open the batting despite spending most of his time off the field because of an injury. Sanjay Manjrekar explains on commentary that since it is an external injury he has been allowed to bat at his regular opening position despite being off the field for most part of the New Zealand innings.

India will have a maximum of six overs to bat before stumps on Day 3.

Murali Vijay will take strike against Trent Boult as he defends the first ball which looks to have stayed a bit low. He flicks the fifth ball square on the leg side for a four to get India off the mark in their second innings.

Infact, Vijay has got a warning for running straight on the pitch after he defended the first ball and looked for a single.

Spinner to share the new ball as Jeetan Patel comes into the attack from the other end.

The second ball is wide as Gambhir rocks back and cuts it past point for a four to get off the mark in some style.

NZ 299-all out (90.2 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Ashwin claims the final wicket to fall as Trent Boult goes for a big hit on the leg side but lobs a simple catch to Pujara at midwicket to fall for a duck.

Ashwin finishes with wonderful figures of six for 81 as New Zealand are bowled out for 299 in reply to India's first innings score of 557-5 declared.

India, who get a big first innings lead of 258 runs, opt against enforcing the follow-on despite Gambhir being unable to bat due to an injury suffered while fielding.

Cheteshwar Pujara is expected to open the batting with Murali Vijay.

NZ 295-9 (89 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Patel also decides to take on the bowling as he sweeps Jadeja behind square for a four and then smashes the fifth ball powerfully back past the bowler for the same result.

Henry chips one straight back to Ashwin, who puts down an easy catch but ends up deflecting the ball on to the stumps. And luckily for Ashwin and India, non-striker Patel's bat is not back in the crease as they suffer another unfortunate run out.

NZ 286-8 (87 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

The drinks break works for India as Neesham is trapped leg before wicket immediately after the resumption.

Neesham tries to play the sweep but is beaten by the turn and struck on the backfoot as the umpire rules him leg before wicket after a good innings of 71.

That completes Ashwin's five-wicket haul, his 20th in Test cricket.

Neesham is unhappy as the ball pitched on off-stump and looked to be turning away but umpire Dharmasena upholds the appeal. That was a touch unlucky as Neesham walks back disappointed.

New batsman Matt Henry wastes no time as he targets Ashwin, lofting him for a four and a straight six.

NZ 253-7 (79 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

India don't take the second new ball after 80 overs as Jadeja and Vijay continue with the old ball.

New Zealand are 254 for seven in 80 overs with 104 runs needed to avoid the follow-on.

With Vijay getting some balls to turn so big, one wonders why Ashwin has not been called to bowl after the tea break.

India take the second new ball after 82 overs but continues with the spinners.

Shami comes back as Vijay is taken off after seven overs. He bowls a short ball to Jeetan Patel, who ducks under a bouncer which doesn't rise much and is lucky that it was not aimed at his body else he would have been struck.

Patel then gets a thick outside edge which flies past the gully fielder for a four. He hits one straight back at Shami, who is unable to get low down on his follow through and take a tough return catch for two runs.

Ashwin to share the new ball. Two singles from the first five balls before Neesham turns the last ball through midwicket for a couple.

Shami from round the wicket is looking to target bouncers at Patel's body with a fielder stationed at leg slip for a top edge or if the batsman fends it in the air.

Patel has a wild swing to a full delivery to get an inside edge to deep square leg for one.

NZ 253-7 (79 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

India's intensity has fallen a bit in the post-tea session. Even the fielding is proving to be a letdown. This time it is substitute fielder Karun Nair, who lets one go through his legs to gift Neesham a four.

He casuallys lofts the next ball off Jadeja towards long-on lobbing it high as Pujara runs around to his left but can't hold on to the tough chance.

Vijay gets Santner to edge one but it flies through the gully region for a four. The part-time spinner has a huge appeal for LBW turned down against Santner off the last ball with the ball clearly pitching outside the leg-stump.

Jadeja finally gets the wicket he deserved as Santner is lured into the drive, getting an inside edge to be caught at leg slip for 22.

NZ 239-6 (76 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Neesham having a few problems against Jadeja, as he looks to sweep but misses and survives another LBW appeal.

Vijay getting a long enough spell as he continues to bowl his fourth over on the trot. Except for an injury to Ashwin, strange tactics to keep your best bowler waiting and have a part-timer bowler at the start of a new session.

Neesham sweeps Vijay through square leg for a four to bring up his half-century in style, from 85 balls.

NZ 221-6 (71 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Jadeja will kick off things with the ball in the post-tea session. Neesham sweeps the fourth ball for two runs before he is beaten off the last ball as Jadeja gets it to go straight, past the edge of the bat.

No Ashwin after tea as part-timer Murali Vijay is called into the attack. Santner slaps the fourth ball straight down the ground for a boundary as the Kiwis reach 217 for six in 70 overs.

Jadeja has a big appeal for LBW turned down against Neesham with the impact outside the line of off-stump. But the left-hander lofts the next ball back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

A couple of balls later, Neesham is again struck on the pads for another LBW appeal which is also rejected. He gets an inside edge off the last ball which falls between the short leg and leg slip fielder, actually it looked like it hit the gloves on the replays.

TEA - DAY 3

NZ 216-6 (68 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

It was the Ashwin show for India as he claimed four for 65 in 24 overs to reduce New Zealand to 216 for six in 68 overs at the tea break on Day 3.

After batting well in the morning session with the openers putting on an 118-run stand, New Zealand lost five wickets for 91 runs in 29 overs in the post-lunch session.

Guptill, who top scored with 72, was unfortunately run out while Jadeja claimed the wicket of BJ Watling to continue India's dominance in the match.

NZ 216-6 (68 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Neesham looking to attack at every opportunity. This time he looks to heave a delivery outside the off-stump from Yadav across the line on the leg side but misses it completely.

Mitchell Santner gets a lifeline as the fielder at short leg puts down a tough chance off Jadeja. It flew off the bat and Rohit did well to get to his hands on it but was unable to hold on.

Ashwin is back as Yadav is given a break with around 10 minutes for tea. Neesham won't hold back even against Ashwin as he lofts him across the spin over mid-on for a four. Immediately the fielder is pushed back to long-on to try and stop him from playing the lofted shot.

The left-hander sweeps the last ball fine on the leg side for the second four of the over.

Ashwin to bowl the final over of the session. He bowls a half-tracker which Santner pulls over midwicket for his first boundary before the two teams go off the pitch for tea.

NZ 201-6 (63 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

India continue with pace from one end as Yadav replaces Shami. He bowls a short wide delivery which Neesham slashes over the fielder at gully for a boundary.

He looks to drive the last ball but gets an edge which goes in between the gap in the slips for the second four of the over.

Jadeja replaces Ashwin, who bowled a long spell after the lunch break claiming three wickets to leave NZ in trouble.

There is some reverse swing for Yadav but the line is poor as Watling flicks a full delivery through square leg for a four.

Yadav induces an edge off Neesham, and it goes through the gap in the slips. Kohli got his finger tips to it before it crashes into the boundary at thirdman.

With Ashwin out of the attack, the two batsmen are having no real problems.

Watling, who paddle swept Jadeja for a four in his previous over, now plays a beautiful cover drive to raise the 50-run stand for the sixth wicket with Neesham.

But Jadeja gets revenge with the wicket of Watling, who gets an edge and is caught by Rahane at slip after scoring 23.

NZ 175-5 (56 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Shami is called back into the attack as Jadeja is taken off after just one over. He starts with a full delivery which Neesham drives through the covers for a four to get off the mark.

Neesham goes after Ashwin as he lofts the off-spinner over midwicket for a four, his second of the innings.

Shami looking to bowl it full and get some reverse swing. Watling makes most of an overpitched delivery, slapping it straight down the ground for a four.

The Neesham-Watling combine have settled the nerves a bit in the dressing room as they have added 27 runs but importantly have stayed at the wicket for nearly eight overs now after a flurry of wickets following the lunch break.

NZ 150-5 (49 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Jadeja comes back into the attack. Jimmy Neesham survives a huge shout for LBW, just about getting the benefit of doubt as he was struck right in line of the off-stump.

The Kiwis are collapsing in Indore. This time Ronchi (0) gets an edge which deflects off Saha's gloves and is caught by Rahane in the slips as Ashwin bags his fourth wicket.

New Zealand have collapsed to 148 for five with Ashwin taking four wickets and also had a role in the run out.

New Zealand nearly lose another wicket as BJ Watling hits it to deep midwicket and comes back for the second run. Neesham was clearly struggling to make his crease at the non-striker's end and was lucky that Shami's throw from the deep missed the stumps.

NZ 148-4 (47 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

This is going all wrong for New Zealand as Guptill is unfortunately run out at the non-striker's end after a good innings of 72.

Luke Ronchi hit one straight back as the bowler Ashwin got a slight deflection before the ball hit the stumps and non-striker Guptill, who was backing a long way, was caught unawares.

From being well placed at 118 for no loss, New Zealand have lost four quick wickets to be reduced to 148 for four in 47 overs.

They have lost three wickets for 23 runs in eight overs in the post-lunch session.

NZ 140-3 (45 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Ashwin continues his wicket ways and this time it is veteran Ross Taylor, who gets an outside edge and is caught at slip for a duck.

The right-hander expects the ball to turn as he plays down the wrong line but it goes straight on, taking the edge and this time Rahane completes an easy catch.

Superb bowling by Ashwin to reduce New Zealand to 140 for three after 45 overs.

NZ 134-2 (43 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

India start with a fast bowler after the lunch break with Yadav bowling the first over of the post-lunch session.

Williamson guides the third ball through the slips, as it goes for a boundary while he confidently defends the rest of the over.

It's Ashwin from the other end and Guptill plays out a maiden over, taking his time to get his eye in after the break.

In the next over though, Guptill plays a cracking drive make most of an overpitched delivery from Yadav.

Williamson looks to sweep Ashwin but the ball keeps a bit low as he gets an inside edge on to his boots but falls safely on the off-side as wicketkeeper Saha makes a good diving attempt.

But Ashwin gets his man two balls later. Williamson looks to play the cut shot but is cramped for room as he inside edges it back on to his stumps to be bowled for eight.

LUNCH - DAY 3

NZ 125-1 (39 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

New Zealand make a strong reply with the bat as they reach 125 for on in 39 overs at the lunch break on Day 3. They still trail India by 432 runs after the hosts had posted a mammoth 557 for five declared in their first innings.

Guptill ended his poor run with an unbeaten 59 as he hit eight fours and two sixes in his 120-ball knock, while Williamson was on three.

Latham was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, caught and bowled by Ashwin for 53 after he had put on 118 runs for the opening wicket with Guptill.

The session belonged to New Zealand as they scored 97 runs in the morning session in 30 overs while losing just one wicket.

There is nothing much for the spinners yet but Ashwin and Jadeja will surely look to bring all their experience into play and take a few wickets in the post lunch session.

NZ 122-1 (36 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Latham gets a lifeline as the Indians appeal for a catch off an inside edge. The left-hander got an inside edge as he looked to sweep Jadeja but get an inside edge on to his shoes and is caught by Rahane at slip but umpire Bruce Oxenford turns down the appeal.

But Latham can't make most of the lifeline and is dismissed in the very next over.  The left-hander tried to turn it on the leg side but ended up getting a leading edge which is taken by the bowler Ashwin.

Latham is dismissed for 53 after putting on 118 runs for the opening wicket with Guptill to give the Kiwis a good start.

NZ 116-0 (32 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Guptill feeling confident enough to take a few risks against the Indian spinners. He played the inside out lofted shot against Jadeja despite there being a fielder at long-off but he has placed it quite well to earn another boundary.

The runs are coming quite freely and this time Ashwin slips it down the leg side which wicketkeeper Saha misses to give away four byes.

Latham sweeps Jadeja for a four through square leg to bring up his fifty in some style, from 95 balls as New Zealand make a strong reply on 116 for no loss in 32 overs.

NZ 102-0 (29 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Ashwin has a slightly muted appeal for LBW turned down against Guptill, who was beaten by the turn but had a big step forward outside the line.

Latham survives a close run out chance as he goes for a quick single, infact he was lucky that Yadav at midwicket missed with the direct or else he was gone.

Jadeja drops one short as Guptill pulls it over midwicket for a four and then lofts the next ball over long-off for a six.

The runs are flowing for the Kiwis now after a quiet first over. Latham slaps Ashwin through the covers as Yadav messes up the slide near the ropes to concede a four followed by a single on the leg side.

The field has been pushed back as Guptill collects an easy single to long-on and Latham picks one to midwicket.

in the next over, Latham flicks Jadeja through midwicket for a four with the spinners leaking runs, with the Kiwis scoring 26 runs from the last 14 balls.

Guptill survives a huge shout for LBW against Jadeja with the ball looking to be slipping down the leg side. A close run out chance off the second ball before Guptill gets an edge which falls short of Rahane at first slip.

Guptill then smashes one through the covers to bring up his fifty, from 86 balls. An important landmark for the Kiwi opener, who was lucky to retain his place in the team after his failures in the first two matches.

Ashwin gets Latham to edge one which flies past the slip fielder for a four. The left-hander then punches one through midwicket and mid-on to make it three fours in the over as NZ goes past the 100-run mark, in the 29th over.

NZ 51-0 (22 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Time for spin as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. Latham looking to play the sweep but misses. He tries the shot again but can't the fielder at short fine leg but makes good connection the third time he tries it, hitting it for a four behind square on the leg side.

Spin from both ends as Ravichandran Ashwin comes in from the other end. He gets one to turn and bounce as Guptill is hit on the pads as he comes forward to defend.

Ashwin getting good drift as Latham is beaten by one that turns big as he tries to play the forward defense shot.

New Zealand have made a good start on Day 3, successfully negotiating the first hour to reach 51 for no loss in 22 overs.

Guptill, who was dropped by Rahane in the slips, is batting on 32, while Latham has looked quite solid on 18.

NZ 51-0 (19 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Shami creating a few problems for the two batsmen. This time, Latham gets an absolute beauty as the ball looks to be coming in initially but hold it's line with the batsman beaten as he tries to defend.

Guptill comes confidently forward to a full delivery from Shami and drives it to mid-off. The right-hander is caught in two minds as he looks to play at one before deciding to leave and ends up steering it past point for a four.

It remains to be seen how long the pacers continue especially with Guptill getting a bit more confident. He slaps a slightly short delivery from Yadav through the covers for a four before he nearly chips it to Kohli at short midwicket.

As the pacers continue from both ends, New Zealand complete the 50-run opening stand in the 19th over as Guptill takes a single to point off Shami.

Latham has a close shave as he flicks Shami and is lucky that the ball fell just short of Jadeja at midwicket, who lunges to his left. Maybe Jadeja was a bit too deep at that position, reckons Sunil Gavaskar on commentary.

Shami is visibly frustrated after seeing two chances go down off his bowling on a pitch where there hasn't been much help for the bowlers.

NZ 35-0 (13 ovs) vs India 557-5d | Scorecard

Umesh Yadav to kick off proceedings for India on the third day and facing him is Martin Guptill, who will be looking to score some runs.

Yadav keeps it full but Guptill up to the task as he defends with a straight bat, not looking to do anything fancy at the moment.

After a few incoming deliveries, Yadav gets one to hold its line as Guptill gets an edge which flies past Rahane at a wide second slip for a four.

The ball is changed before Mohammed Shami takes over from the other end. Latham plays a good drive through the covers where Gambhir puts in the dive to save the boundary and concede just a single. Even Shami looking to keep it full to Guptill, who looks very tentative in coming forward to defend.

Latham turns Yadav square on the leg side for two runs before he is beaten outside the off-stump as he pokes at a wide one.

Two fielders in close on the leg side for Guptill against Shami, one at silly mid-on and the other at short midwicket.

Guptill (21) looks to drive a wide outswinger from Shami and gets a thick outside edge but Rahane at a wide second slip puts down a straightforward chance.

India's plan of making Guptill play the drive through the off-side worked to perfection but the fielding let them down.

Shami maintaining a good line and length just on and around the off-stump, trying to drag Guptill forward.

Welcome to the coverage of Day 3 of the third and final Test between India and New Zealand in Indore, on Monday.

Hosts India would be looking to continue their domination and claim a few early wickets on the third day.

India have been superior in the first two days, having posted a mammoth 557 for five declared.

Virat Kohli smashed his second Test double century and Ajinkya Rahane made 188 as India flogged a jaded New Zealand attack before declaring their first innings late on Day 3.

The duo featured in a marathon 365-run stand, India's highest fourth wicket partnership against any team, applying themselves on a pitch where the occasional ball kept low.

Martin Guptill (17) and Tom Latham (six) managed to see through the final nine overs to push New Zealand to 28 for no loss at stumps, still 529 runs behind on a fast-deteriorating track at the Holkar stadium in Indore.