After the hard graft of day two, the Indian spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin came to the party, picking up all nine New Zealand wickets to fall on Saturday.
Beginning the day in a commanding position, the Kiwis failed to come up with any answers to Jadeja and Ashwin as they were bowled out for 262. The last four New Zealand wickets fell for just seven runs.
Jadeja registered the fifth five-wicket haul of his Test career while Ashwin ended the innings with four scalps of his own.
Once again, KL Rahul got the Indians off to a flier but failed to capitilise fully on his start, dismissed by Ish Sodhi for 38 just before tea.
Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara came out with a positive approach in the final session, putting on 107 runs as both batsmen made half-centuries and India closed the day 159-1 and with a lead of 215 runs.
Here, we pick out the top tweets from the day’s play.
This is a potentially decisive lead for India. With bat and ball Ashwin and Jadeja have been crucial
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 24, 2016
India were 154/1 on day 1. NZ were 159/1 in their first innings. And now, India are 142/1. Pattern. #IndvNZ #500thTEST
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 24, 2016
India is way in front yes ......unfortunately https://t.co/Psl9ncpzDk
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) September 24, 2016
Great spell that from Jadeja. NZ loosing last 5 wkts for 7 runs.Will be much more difficult to chase in 4th innings.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 24, 2016
Come on India !
Guptill, Taylor and now Ronchi. All sawn off. And yet the commentators continue to praise the umpires. #INDvsNZ
— Michael Wagener (@Mykuhl) September 24, 2016
Ravindra Jadeja refilled his 'sir'ship. Lets see how long it lasts.
— Keh Ke Peheno (@coolfunnytshirt) September 24, 2016
Well played, Murali Vijay & Cheteshwar Pujara.. Vijay is silken & languid as usual.. Liked this enterprising approach of Pujara! #IndvsNZ
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) September 24, 2016
Ashwin was looking good for another 5 wicket haul as Jadeja stole it from right under his nose in an over.
— dorku (@Dorkstar) September 24, 2016
India have done in this innings what they failed to do in West Indies. Got on top and hammered the opposition with some positive intent
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) September 24, 2016
Pegging Jadeja at 120-130 test wickets and Ashwin at 240-250 at the end of this home test season.
— Ashoka (@ABVan) September 24, 2016
We never talk a lot about Murali Vijay. But over the last three years has been wonderfully consistent.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 24, 2016