The opener made 21 but could not convert the start into anything substantial, especially when his inability to replicate his limited overs form in test cricket has jeopardised his place in the squad.
Paceman Umesh Yadav trapped him leg before with a full, swinging delivery.
Opener Tom Latham (25) and captain Kane Williamson (21) were in the middle at the break, with New Zealand 247 runs behind their hosts who batted seven overs in the morning before being all out at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium.
With number 11 batsman Yadav (nine) at the other end, Ravindra Jadeja (42 not out) took the onus of scoring on himself, contributing 26 of the 27 runs India added to their overnight score of 291 for nine.
The left-handed batsman hit two fours and then took a single off left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner to take India to 300.
Jadeja also hit Santner for a six but could not get to his second test half century as Neil Wagner had Yadav caught behind to end India’s 41-run partnership for the last wicket.
