Second Test headed for close finish as New Zealand reach 232/9

After conceding a slender 12-run lead, Ashwin snared five for 69 to restrict New Zealand to 232 for nine on an action-packed third day which saw as many as 14 wickets fall at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

India will now look to wrap up the innings as quickly as possible and push for a 2-0 series win with two full days still left in the match.

Useful contributions from the middle-order helped the visitors in their endeavour to put up a defendable total as Ashwin didn't let the Black Caps take a runaway lead.

Ashwin got rid of Kruger van Wyk, James Franklin and Tim Southee in quick succession before Pragyan Ojha dsmissed Bracewell to peg back the visitors.

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The burly Tamil Nadu offie began post-tea session by claiming Daniel Flynn's wicket soon after tea for 31 (65 balls 4s-6) caught at first slip by Virender Sehwag while trying to run the ball down to third man.

Pacer Umesh Yadav also gave able support to Ashwin by providing two vital breakthroughs sending back openers Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum in the post-lunch session.

Yadav also intimidated pocket-sized NZ keeper Krugner van Wyk with short-pitched stuff. Van Wyk was struck on his helmet as he took eyes off a short delivery from Yadav prompting the physio to run in on to the ground to attend him. The 'keeper once again took a beating on his wrist in Yadav's next delivery.

Yadav claimed the wickets of openers Brendon McCullum (23) and Martin Guptill (7) while spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha took the wickets of Kane Williamson (13) and captain Ross Taylor (35) respectively as New Zealand reached 123 for four at the tea break on the third day.

Daniel Flynn and James Franklin were batting on 25 and 11 respectively. The visitors have taken a 135-run lead with six second innings wickets in hand.

Yadav gave the much needed breakthrough to India when he removed both openers soon after the lunch break. Ojha and Ashwin continued the good work by picking up one wicket each.

Resuming at the lunch score of 29 for no loss, New Zealand lost both their openers quickly. Yadav gave the vital breakthrough for India by pitching the ball up instead of hitting the deck which hardly helped him take wickets consistently in the series so far.

The Indian pacer bowled a low full toss at Martin Guptill (7) who got an inside edge before hitting his leg stump.

Brendon McCullum poked at Yadav's away going delivery and gave a comfortable catch to keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Tottering at 31 for two, New Zealand skipper and first innings centurion Ross Taylor straightaway survived a loud LBW appeal, but the ball clearly missed leg stump.

Soon a rejoicing moment came his way when he punched Yadav at covers for a couple of runs and became the 12th New Zealand player to achieve the feat of reaching 3,000 Test runs.