Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha scored fighting half centuries as India ended Day 4 in a strong position against New Zealand in Kanpur on Sunday.
Resuming at an overnight score of 14/1, the hosts lost Cheteshwar Pujara for 22 as he gloved a short ball from Kyle Jamieson down the leg side to wicket keeper Tom Blundell.
Ajinkya Rahane’s (4) poor run with the bat continued as he was trapped LBW right in front of the stumps by Ajaz Patel.
Tim Southee pegged the Indians back with the wickets of Mayank Agarwal and Ravi Jadeja in quick succession, leaving the hosts reeling at 51/5.
Iyer and Ravi Ashwin anchored the innings with a valuable 52 run stand for the sixth wicket before the latter chopped a Jamieson delivery on to his stumps for 32.
Iyer was involved in yet another 64 run stand along with Wriddhiman Saha before the former gloved a short delivery from Tim Southee down the leg side for a fine 65.
In the process the 26 year old created history by becoming the first Indian player to score a hundred and a fifty on Test debut.
Saha and Axar Patel frustrated the visitors with an unbeaten 67 run stand for the eight wicket to put India firmly in control. The wicket keeper batsman remained unbeaten at 61 as India declared their second innings at 234/7, with an overall lead of 283.
For New Zealand Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson claimed three wickets each.
Chasing 284, Will Young was trapped leg before wicket by Ravi Ashwin just before the close of play. The New Zealand opener was struck on the pads by a delivery that kept low, with replays suggests the ball was missing the stumps.
However Young and Tom Latham signaled for a review too late and the opener had to walk back to the pavillion.
New Zealand finished the day at 4/1 with nightwatchman Will Somerville keeping opener Latham company.
Stumps at the end of Day 4- India 2nd innings 234/7 declared.( Shreyas Iyer 65, Wriddhiman Saha 61*, Tim Southee 3/75, Kyle Jamieson 3/40) vs New Zealand second innings 4/1. ( Ravi Ashwin 1/3) needing 280 more runs.