BENGALURU, India (AP) — Rachin Ravindra scored his first test century on Indian soil as New Zealand took a commanding first-innings lead of 299 runs on the third day of the first test Friday.
Ravindra was unbeaten on 104 runs off 131 balls at lunch, with New Zealand reaching 345-7 in 81 overs. Fast bowler Tim Southee was batting on 49 not out, with the duo putting on 112 runs for the eighth wicket to frustrate the home side.
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Pakistan's Noman Ali, right, celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root, second right, during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Pakistan and England, in Multan, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
New Zealand's Matt Henry is bowled out by India's Ravindra Jadeja during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's Glenn Philips, right, during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja, second right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's Glenn Philips during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj fields the ball to save a boundary during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, left, and Rachin Ravindra run between the wickets to score during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj fields the ball to save a boundary during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra celebrates after scoring a century during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj, left, reacts after bowling a delivery to New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, right, during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand's Matt Henry during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra celebrates after scoring a century during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India was bowled out for 46 runs in its first innings on the second day — its lowest test score at home. The first day was washed out due to persistent rain.
Rishabh Pant was not on the field for India on Friday. He suffered a hit on the knee on Thursday, and was rested as a precautionary measure. Dhruv Jurel is the substitute keeper for India.
India leads the World Test Championship standings, and a 3-0 win in this series against New Zealand would all but assure its spot for the final at Lord’s next June. India recently beat Bangladesh 2-0.
New Zealand has already been on a long subcontinental tour. It began with a washed-out test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, India, followed by a 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka.
The second match in the three-test series will be played in Pune starting Oct. 24 and the final one in Mumbai from Nov. 1.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Pakistan's Noman Ali, right, celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Joe Root, second right, during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Pakistan and England, in Multan, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
New Zealand's Matt Henry is bowled out by India's Ravindra Jadeja during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's Glenn Philips, right, during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja, second right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of New Zealand's Glenn Philips during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj fields the ball to save a boundary during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, left, and Rachin Ravindra run between the wickets to score during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj fields the ball to save a boundary during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra celebrates after scoring a century during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Mohammad Siraj, left, reacts after bowling a delivery to New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra, right, during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
India's Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the dismissal of New Zealand's Matt Henry during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra celebrates after scoring a century during the day three of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)
