India set New Zealand an improbable 434-run victory target and then blew away the visitors' top order in Sunday's final session to close in on a resounding win in the first Test.

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin made the most of a turning pitch in Kanpur to rip through New Zealand as India racked up a commanding 215-run lead on day three of the first Test on Saturday.

Captain Kane Williamson and opener Tom Latham led a strong New Zealand reply with unbeaten half-centuries before rain washed out the final session of the second day of the first Test against India on Friday.

New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner and paceman Trent Boult combined to lead a fightback and restrict India to 291 for nine on the opening day of the first Test on Thursday.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson believes his slow-bowling trio can prove a handful for India in their own spin-friendly back yard in the three-Test series starting on Thursday.

India have the resources to become the best team in Test cricket and the bumper home season would be a perfect opportunity to sow the seed of their ascendancy, captain Virat Kohli said on Wednesday.

There's no place like home if you are looking to scramble back to the top of the world rankings and that appears to be India's mantra as they kick off a bumper Test season against New Zealand in Kanpur on Thursday.

All-rounder Corey Anderson has been included as a specialist batsman in New Zealand's one-day squad for next month's five-match series against India, New Zealand Cricket said on Monday.

New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the three-match Test series in India with an ankle injury and will be replaced by paceman Matt Henry.

All-rounder James Neesham has returned to the New Zealand Test squad for their three-Test tour of India.

Dale Steyn grabbed five wickets to lead South Africa to a convincing 204 run-victory over New Zealand in the second Test at Centurion on Tuesday that sealed a 1-0 win in the series.

South Africa slid to 105 for six on the third day of the second and final Test against New Zealand on Monday but were still firmly in command at Centurion, holding a 372-run lead.

Stand-in captain Faf du Plessis scored a fifth Test century before his bowlers ripped through the New Zealand top order to leave South Africa firmly in charge after day two of the second Test at Centurion on Sunday.

Quinton de Kock top scored as all South Africa's batsmen got among the runs in a score of 283 for three on the first day of the second Test against New Zealand at Centurion on Saturday.

The first Test between South Africa and New Zealand ended in a damp draw on Tuesday without a ball bowled over the final three-and-a-half days due to a sodden outfield at Kingsmead.

A wet outfield again prevented play on the fourth day of the first Test between South Africa and New Zealand in what is becoming an increasing embarrassment for the hosts.

Play was abandoned because of a wet outfield without a ball being bowled on the third day of the first test between South Africa and New Zealand on Sunday.

A fired-up Dale Steyn removed both New Zealand openers to leave the tourists on 15 for two before rain ended day two of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

South African-born Neil Wagner took three wickets for New Zealand against the country of his birth as bad light brought an early close to play on the first day of the first Test at Kingsmead with South Africa 236 for eight.

Part-time spinners Ish Sodhi and Martin Guptill bagged three wickets each as Zimbabwe folded on the final day of the second Test to hand New Zealand a comprehensive 254-run victory on Wednesday.

Ross Taylor and BJ Watling scored centuries as New Zealand closed in on victory against hapless Zimbabwe after day three of the first Test on Saturday.

Tom Latham's century and 91 from Kane Williamson put New Zealand firmly in the driving seat with a 151-run lead over Zimbabwe on the second day of the first Test on Friday.