Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], Oct.10 : Ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday scalped his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India maintained a commanding 276-run lead at the close of the third day's play of the third and final Test against New Zealand at the Holkar Stadium here.
In reply to India's first inning score of 557-5, New Zealand were bundled out for 299, despite a strong start by openers Martin Guptill (72) and Tom Latham (53).
Spinner Ashwin tore apart New Zealand's batting order, taking six wickets for 81 before Jimmy Neesham (71) cobbled together fifty partnerships with BJ Watling (23) and Mitchell Santner (22) to propel the visitors near 300-run mark.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also contributed with two wickets. At stumps on Day Three, India were at 18-0, with Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara batting at their respective scores of eleven and one.
India, who are currently leading the three-match series 2-0 following their 178-run win in the second Test in Kolkata, have now put themselves in a commanding position in their bid to seal series sweep against the Kane Williamson-led side.
Source: ANI
