IND vs NZ 3rd Test: "Rare Scenes in Wankhede" - Fans React as India Take 1st Innings Lead For First Time in Series

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India claimed a first innings lead for the first time in the ongoing Test series against New Zealand as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant crucial knocks helped the hosts gain a slight advantage in the 3rd Test at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Rohit Sharma's side failed to take a lead in the first innings of the first two Tests in Bengaluru and Pune, resulting in the home side suffering back-to-back defeats and in the process also lost their first Test series at home since 2012.

In reponse to New Zealand's 235 in the Mumbai Test, India ended day 1 in a spot of bother after a mini collapse saw the hosts finish with a score of 86 for 4 at stumps. Gill and Pant, however, put together a 100-run stand to take India closer to the Kiwis' first innings score.

Pant departed for a quickfire 60, falling LBW to Ish Sodhi, while Gill hung around, but fell 10 runs short of his century at 90. However, the number three batter's knock ensure India were just 8 runs shy of wiping off the deficit.

Ajaz Patel returned among the wicket column to put India on the back foot again by removing Sarfaraz Khan for a duck and Gill after Glenn Phillips had struck in between to dismiss Ravindra Jadeja for 14.

Washington Sundar, later ensured India claimed a lead of 28 with an unbeaten cameo of 38, batting alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep, who did not make any telling contributions.

Ajaz Patel completed his five-wicket haul with the dismissal of Ashwin, while Akash Deep was run out for a duck without facing a delivery. The lead was 28, but fans were happy that the team finally claimed a first innings lead in the series.

Earlier in the first Test, India were bowled out for 46, allowing New Zealand to claim a 356-run first innings lead. In the second Test, India were bowled out for 156 in response to Kiwis' 259, conceding a 103-run lead.

28 runs is not a great lead, but with the wicket favouring spin, India will look to wrap up the New Zealand innings soon and seal their first win, a crucial one before they jet Down Under to face Australia in a five-match Test series from November 22.