India vs New Zealand, 1st Test: Ishant Sharma bags special record, enters elite list of Indian fast bowlers

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma clinched a milestone in Day three of the ongoing first Test between India and New Zealand on Sunday. Otherwise, it was an ordinary day for the tourists as they were 144 for 4 at stumps at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Sharma bagged a five-wicket haul on Sunday as he dismissed Tom Blundell, Tom Latham and Ross Taylor on Day two. He completed the fifer on Day three when he also removed the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult. By doing, Sharma is now tied with legendary Indian pacer Zaheer Khan at the second position in the list of Indian fast bowlers with most five-wicket hauls in Tests.

While Zaheer achieved the milestone in 92 Tests, Sharma needed 97 Tests to do so. Only former Indian skipper Kapil Dev with 23 five-wicket hauls is above these two in the list. Meanwhile, in the list of Indian bowlers, overall (spinners and pacers) with most five-fors in Test, legendary Anil Kumble (35) ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin (27) and Harbhajan Singh (25).

India commenced Day three with a positive note as they bagged a wicket on the very first ball of the day's play. However, they failed to dismiss the tail-enders quickly, once again. After New Zealand went 225 for 7, they ended up adding another 123 runs more. The likes of Colin de Grandhomme (43 off 74), Kyle Jamieson (44 off 45) and Trent Boult (38 off 24) attacked the Indian bowlers and took New Zealand to 348. The brilliant efforts from the tail-enders meant, the BlackCaps managed to earn a lead of 183 runs and this could hurt the Indians going forward in the Test.

When India came out to bat again, Boult made their job difficult. He dismissed opening batsman Prithvi Shaw early at 27 for 1 before he removed Cheteshwara Pujara on the final delivery before the Tea break at 78 for 2. A few overs into the play, post the break, Southee got Mayank Agarwal caught behind in a controversial dismissal. The close call went in the bowler's favour and Agarwal walked back for 58 runs from 99 balls.

Boult, who had expressed a desire to dismiss Virat Kohli before the Wellington Test started, fulfilled his wish as removing the Indian skipper for just 19 runs.

At stumps of Day three, India were 144 for 4 with Ajinkya Rahane (25 off 67) and Hanuma Vihari (15 off 70) at the crease.