Kumble inspires Jadeja-Ashwin show

The dramatic twist that left New Zealand dumbfounded and gasping for survival in the first Test in Kanpur was scripted by India's coach and former spin great Anil Kumble, a grateful Ravindra Jadeja revealed.

Report, scorecard: India v New Zealand, first Test

"He asked me to bowl in rough areas and look for angles while bowling from wide of the crease," said the left-arm spinner who took five wickets to send the Black Caps crashing at the Green Park in Kanpur.

"There were a lot of foot marks around the off-stump area. He told me that those marks will have a bearing on the batsmen's minds." 

The advice from Kumble, whose 619 wickets is an Indian Test record, helped spin twins Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin share nine scalps to swing the Test India's way on the third day.

New Zealand lost nine wickets for 103 runs to be bowled out for 262 after lunch and India, having gained a lead of 56 runs, cruised to 1-159 in their second innings by stumps.

The dry pitch, which had not threatened the batsmen over the first two days, suddenly became a vicious patch of land with turn and bounce when Jadeja and Ashwin bowled.

Jadeja, who had gone wicketless in 17 overs on Friday, took 5-26 in another 17 overs on the third day.

Ashwin, 0-43 in 14 overs overnight, claimed four wickets in 16.5 more overs.

When India batted a second time, New Zealand's three spinners were tamed by Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara, who both hit their second half-centuries in the match during an unbroken stand of 107. 

The day began in dramatic fashion when New Zealand's top-order was ripped apart in the space of four overs. Ashwin dismissed Tom Latham and skipper Kane Williamson -- who had put on 124 for the second wicket -- while Jadeja removed Ross Taylor for no score.

The final four wickets fell for the addition of just four runs with Jadeja taking three in one over to quell a fightback from Luke Ronchi (38) and Mitchell Santner (32).

Jadeja finished with 5-73, his fifth five-wicket haul in 18 Tests and the third in succession after grabbing five wickets in each innings of the domestic Duleep Trophy final earlier in the month.

India begin the fourth day leading by 215 runs with nine wickets in hand and well-placed to take the lead in the three-match series.

"I am pleased as punch," said Ashwin. "It was a very good Test match day for us. We had a lot of opportunities yesterday before the rain broke the momentum.

"But today we applied pressure from the start and it worked well. It is not a bad wicket to bat on, but patience is required to wait for the loose ball." 

Jadeja said the wicket of Williamson, who was bowled by Ashwin with a ball that spun sharply, turned the game India's way.

"Kane can bat long and it was important to get him out early," he said. "The four wickets we got in the morning session changed the game.

"We bowled around the off-stump, built pressure and executed our plans well."

New Zealand wicket-keeper BJ Watling said it was not beyond his team to save the Test.

"It was a tough day," he admitted. "We need to improve, but I know the boys are determined. We are trying to adjust to these conditions and figure out ways to score runs and take wickets.

"We have a great bunch of fighters in this team. We are under a bit of pressure now and we've just got to find a way to put the pressure back on the Indians."