BENGALURU, India, Oct 18, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Overnight batsman Rachin Ravindra hit a sparkling century to extend New Zealand's lead to a commanding 299 on day three of the rain-hit first Test against India on Friday.

New Zealand reached 345-7 at lunch with the left-handed Ravindra standing firm on 104 to take the attack to the opposition in Bengaluru.

Ravindra, a batting all-rounder whose parents hail from the city, raised his second century from 10 Test appearances with a boundary off Ravichandran Ashwin.

The tourists resumed on 180-3 but conceded four wickets for 53 runs in the morning, with Ravindra Jadeja striking twice in two overs.

His Kiwi namesake then put on an unbeaten stand of 112 with Tim Southee, who was batting on 49 with three fours and three sixes.

India's quicks bowled good spells in the morning with Mohammed Siraj taking the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, caught at gully for 18.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell was the next to depart with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah getting him caught at second slip for five.

Jadeja led the spin attack to send back Glenn Phillips for 14 and Matt Henry for eight with deliveries that skidded off the pitch to rattle the stumps.

India said they were keeping Rishabh Pant off the field for the day after the wicketkeeper injured his knee on Thursday, with Dhruv Jurel substituted in on Thursday.

It was the same knee Pant hurt in a serious car crash in December 2022 that forced him out of action for more than a year.

New Zealand fast bowlers Henry and William O'Rourke shared nine wickets between them to bowl out India on day two for 46, their third-lowest Test score and lowest ever on home turf.