India Hand New Zealand Control After Batting Flop Show On Day 1 In 3rd Test

India's batters lost plot in a matter of 20 minutes, leaving side at a jittery 86/4 after Ravindra Jeja and Washington Sundar gave hosts early bragging rights by dismissing New Zealand for 235 on an eventful day one of third and final Test here on Friday.

Jeja (5/65) and Sundar (4/81) did ir job to perfection but India's batting continued to be a weak link as side lost three wickets in space of eight balls, starting with Yashasvi Jaiswal's (30) inexplicable reverse slog sweep.

With his 14th five-for in Tests, Jeja also moved ahe of former pace bowling teammates Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to climb to fifth spot in list of highest wicket-takers for India in format.

With 314 wickets so far, Jeja is now behind Harbhajan Singh (417 wickets) in all-time list.

India, who lost by eight wickets in Bengaluru and by 113 runs in Pune, are in a desperate position to remain alive in race to World Test Championship final but contest seems to be slipping away.

If Virat Kohli (4) missed an innocuous full toss to be cleaned up in first innings at Pune was an aberration, batting maestro ran himself out in ending stages of first day's play which left India staring at a mountain to climb.

India's rapid fall displayed ir fast eroding confidence with bat as Rohit Sharma (18) too was among those who fell without making a significant dent.

In between loss of team's batting pillars, Jaiswal and Shubman Gill (31 not out) forged a 53-run stand for second wicket before closing stage collapse.

Rohit, playing only his second Test on his home turf of Wankhede Stium, dazzled with a few attractive strokes to get off blocks quickly but failed to make most of a reprieve.

William O'Rourke spilled a tough chance at fine leg off Henry when Rohit pulled one towards his left with fielder also covering fair distance to get to ball in fifth over.

In seventh, Rohit played awkwardly at a back of a length ball, looking to work it on leg side, Indian skipper was perhaps surprised with bounce as he closed face of bat but ball flew to his counterpart Tom Latham in second slip.

Rohit's fall h Gill joining Jaiswal and two did try to rebuild before latter's dismissal.

Earlier, spinners ruled roost as Jeja (5/65) and Washington (4/81) shared nine wickets between m to keep New Zealand to 235 after visitors opted to bat.

Washington sparkled with a crucial two-wicket burst claiming key wickets of New Zealand captain Tom Latham (28) and in-form Rachin Ravindra (5).

Even though Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) played outstanding knocks, on a spin-friendly track, humidity and heat tested Kiwis' resolve while y pushed full tilt to counter India's spin threat.

Young and Mitchell put New Zealand on track for a big first innings score but Jeja played a decisive role in pegging m back and handing vantage to India with his mastery over pitch and conditions, picking five wickets along way.

R Ashwin, deployed first among Indian spinners, remained wicket-less despite his variations but his bowling partners exploited pitch perfectly, particularly left-arm Jeja who bowled comparatively quicker and attacked wickets.

New Zealand, who crumbled from 159 for three to 235 all out predominantly against Jeja, did deserve credit for braving conditions which h ir highest scorer in innings, Mitchell, really struggling in middle.

burly batting all-rounder consumed liquids frequently and kept dropping to his haunches and even lay flat on his back as he me a fighting 82 off 129 balls, laced with three fours and as many sixes.

Mitchell felt heat more than anyone else also because he dealt a lot in singles and doubles until he brought up his maiden fifty of tour. Each of this three sixes came towards end.

Like Mitchell, Young too looked set for a century but Jeja's brilliance ended his knock.

Getting one to turn away against Young's front-foot defence, Jeja h ball kissing shoulder of bat and Rohit did rest at first slip, bringing an end to a fine knock in which Young scored 71 off 138 balls with four fours and two sixes.