From correspondents in Tamil Nadu, India, 01:31 PM IST

India A batted themselves into a strong position by extending their overall lead to 178 runs with seven second innings wickets in hand against New Zealand A on the third day of their four-day cricket match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, here Tuesday.

At lunch, India A were on 160 for three with skipper Suresh Raina on 49 and Jaydev Shah on six as the home batsmen made merry of the Kiwi bowling attack.

Leading the run blitz, that saw India adding 133 runs in the first session, were opener Sahil Kukreja (41), Murali Vijay (57) and Raina, all of whom batted reasonably freely to help their team take control of the game.

Vijay, who had made 45 in the first innings, set the momentum with yet another pleasing knock while Raina complemented the effort with a typical free-flowing innings. The pair added 83 runs for the third wicket before Vijay lofted leg-spinner Aaron Redmond into the hands of Peter Fulton fielding at mid-on.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)