Indore Test: NZ's top-order collapses following Ashwin's quick 4-wicket spell

After starting the first inning on a strong note, New Zealand's top-order fell like cards as R Ashwin began to display his class on the Day Three of the third and final Test at the Holkar Cricket Stadium here on 10 October.

New Zealand's openers MJ Guptill and TWM Latham smashed half centuries and tried to cement their position in the game. R Ashwin made a genius comeback and destroyed the visitors' top-order by dismissing Latham (53), KS Williamson (8), LRPL Taylor (0) and L Ronchi (0). Guptill was run out by Ashwin when he was playing at 72.

New Zealand is currently playing at 183/5.

Resuming at the score of 28-0, Guptill and Latham managed to keep Indian spinners at bay as the duo went on to share a huge 118-run opening stand to provide their side with a solid start.

Earlier, prolific centuries from skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane had put India in a commanding position after two days' play in the final match

Kohli (211) scored his second Test-match double-hundred while Rahane made 188 before the hosts declared their first innings at 557-5.

In the process, Kohli, who scored 200 against West Indies in July, in Antigua, also became the first Indian batsman to make two double-hundreds as Test captain. The skipper also became the first Indian batsman since Sachin Tendulkar in 2010 to score two double-tons in a year.

India are currently leading the three-match series 2-0 and New Zealand have to display some extraordinary batting performance if they want to avoid a series whitewash.

- with ANI inputs