India on verge of victory in landmark 500th Test
India closed in on victory Monday in the first Test against New Zealand, with the visitors reeling at 205 for seven at lunch on the final day despite half-centuries from Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner. The Black Caps, who resumed on 93 for four after being set an unlikely 434 for victory, lost three more wickets during another tough session at Kanpur's Green Park stadium which is hosting India's 500th Test. Mitchell Santner on 57 and Ish Sodhi on two were battling against a persistent Indian bowling attack when the players broke for lunch. A 102-run partnership between overnight batsmen Ronchi and Santner helped New Zealand put up some resistance in the first hour of play on the fifth day. Ronchi's fighting 80, laced with nine fours and a six, gave the visitors a glimmer of hope of clinching a draw. But left-arm spinnner Ravindra Jadeja, who registered a five-wicket haul in the first innings, managed to break their stand when Ronchi mistimed a flatter delivery and was caught at point by Ravichandran Ashwin. Pace spearhead Mohammed Shami also claimed two wickets in the morning session, including wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling. Ashwin claimed three wickets on Sunday to reduce New Zealand to 56 for four at one stage, after getting openers Martin Guptill and Tom Latham in quick succession. Ashwin also had skipper Kane Williamson dismissed lbw to claim his 200th Test wicket on the fourth day to give India a firm grip in the first of the three Tests.
